Consideration of some biofertilizers effect on water relations and gas exchange of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under irrigated and rainfed conditions

Application of biofertilizers is a crucial technique for reducing catastrophic effects of irregular utilization of chemical fertilizers. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of Rhizobium strains and plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on dry matter partitioning and some growth parameters of chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.)، Arman cultivar. This research was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design at Zanjan university research farm. Irrigation levels (optimum irrigation during season growth and no irrigation during growth period) were set as main plots and fertilizer level (control or no application chemical and biological fertilizer، seed inoculation with Mesorhizobium ciceri strain of SWRI-3، seed inoculation with Mesorhizobium ciceri strain SWRI-17، seed inoculation with PGPR،Co-inoculation with rhizobium strains SWRI-3+SWRI-17 and Co-inoculation with all biofertilizer، PGPR+SWRI-3+SWRI-17) were sets as subplots. In this experiment، drought stress caused significance reduction of relative water content، net photosynthesis rate، stomatal conductance، chlorophyll content and grain yield. Also، relative water content، net photosynthesis rate، stomatal conductance and grain yield was the highest rate at co-inoculation with rhizobium and PGPR (PGPR+SWRI-3+SWRI-17) treatment. Therefore، our findings emphasis that، co-inoculation of chickpea seeds with rhizobum strains and PGPR resulted better water relations and photosynthesis rate and finally more grain yield in comparison to traditional application of chemical fertilizers.