Study of Interaction between Mycorrhizal Fungi and Chemical Phosphorous Fertilizer on Yield, Yield Components and Protein of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Application of bio-fertilizers, especially mycorrhiza as a complement or substituent for chemical fertilizers is very important in sustainable management of agro-ecosystems. In order to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi species and phosphorus chemical fertilizers on grain yield and protein of chickpea, a greenhouse factorial experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications was conducted in 2014. Treatments were included three species of mycorrhizal fungi, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Claroideoglomus claroideum and non-inoculated control and three levels of phosphorus fertilizer from triple superphosphate (0, 50 and 100 mg.kg-1). Results showed, the highest plant height 48.83 cm, root colonization (72 %) and chlorophyll index (SPAD) was achieved with Rh. Intraradices and 50 mg.kg-1. With increasing phosphorus from 50 to 100 mg.kg-1, plants inoculated with mycorrhizal species showed a significant reduction in the number of seeds per plant and application of mycorrhiza with 50 mg.kg-1 showed the highest grain yield of chickpea. The application of 100 mg.kg-1 compared to 50 mg.kg-1 phosphorus with F. mosseae and Rh. Intraradices were reduced the protein percentage as 13.05 and 12.23, respectively. Therefore, application of bio fertilizer with chemical fertilizers may reduce consumption of chemical fertilizers without reduction in grain yield and protein that can achieve to sustainable and low-input agricultural systems.