Response of chickpea to P levels from different sources with various PSB species

In a field experiment on the response of chickpea to P levels from two sources with two species of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, the use of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus polymyxa along with DAP and Rock phosphate (RP) each @ 20 and 40 kg P₂O_5/ ha could significantly increase the nodule dry weight, grain yield, straw yield and N and P uptake in chickpea. These parameters were found maximum with DAP @ 40 kg P₂O_5/ ha along with B. polymyxa and with B.megaterium. Use of RP @ 40 kg P₂O_5/ haalong with B. polymyxa and also with B.megaterium was found identical to DAP @ 40 kg P₂O₅ ha alone but inferior to DAP 40 kg P₂O₅ ha + B.polymyxa/B.megaterium for most of the parameters studied. P use efficiency (PUE) and relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of both the sources were also increased due to inoculation with both the P solubilizing bacteria inoculants. The maximum RAE (152.2%) was recorded with DAP + B. polymyxa whereas maximum PUE was recorded with DAP @ 20 kg P₂O_5/ ha + B. polymyxa inoculation.