Effect of foliar application of salicylic acid and biofertilizers on yield and yield components of chickpea cultivars (Cicer arientinum L.) in dryland conditions

In order to investigate the effect of salicylic acid and biofertilizers on yield and yield components of four chickpea cultivars in dryland conditions of Kermanshah province, an experiment in the form of split-plot factorial based on randomized complete blocks in three replications in 2019 at Hamil Agricultural Jihad Center farm Islamabad-e-Gharb city was implemented. Experimental treatments include three levels of foliar application of salicylic acid before flowering (no consumption, 0.5 mM, and 1 mM) as main plots, biofertilizer at four levels (control, Phosphate barvar 2, Pota barvar 2, and Pota barvar 2 + Phosphate barvar 2) and four chickpea cultivars (Adel, Mansour, Azkan, and Goksu) as in sub-plots. The results showed that salicylic acid and biofertilizers and their interactions had a significant effect on grain yield and yield components. Cultivars were significantly different in all traits except the harvest index. The triple interaction of salicylic acid, biofertilizers, and cultivars also affected the number of empty pods, number of bi-seed pods, biological and grain yield, and harvest index. The highest grain yield (2499 kg/ha) belonged to Adel cultivar with 1 mM salicylic acid and combined application of Phosphate barvar 2 + Pota barvar 2 and the lowest grain yield (614.67 kg/ha) belonged to the Goksu cultivar and 0.5 mM salicylic acid and non-application of biofertilizer. The lowest grain yield was 75% lower than the maximum grain yield obtained. Therefore, the use of salicylic acid and seed inoculation with biofertilizers increased yield and yield components.