Synergistic Effect Of Mesorhizobium Ciceri And Pseudomonas Fluorescens To Adjust Physiological And Biochemical Responses Of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) During Drought Stress

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Is One Of The Most Important Legume Plant Which Is Being Affected By Drought Stress. Due To Drought, Chickpea Production Has Been Low In Ethiopia And Other Chickpea Producing Countries. Although Conventional Breeding Approach Has Enabled The Production Of Relatively Drought Tolerant Plants, It Is Time And Resource Consuming. Therefore, Considering The Application Of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Is Important To Alleviate The Effect Of Drought Stress. Hence, The Aim Of This Study Was To Reduce The Impact Of Drought On Chickpea Plant By Taking Advantage Of Consortium Effect Of Mesorhizobium Ciceri Cp41 And Pseudomonas Fluorescens Biotype G. Two Contrasting Drought Tolerant (Habru) And Susceptible (Arerti) Kabuli Chickpea Varieties Were Used. Growth, Physiological And Biochemical Changes At Two Soil Water Contents (80% And 40% Of Field Capacity) Were Analysed Among Mesorhizobium Spp. Alone, Mesorhizobium Spp. And Pseudomonas Spp., And Uninoculated Seeds Which Were Grown In Greenhouse Condition. In Vitro Results Confirmed That These Two Bacteria Are Gram Negative Bacteria And Are Compatible To Each Other. Greenhouse Experiments Showed That Co-Inoculation Has Improved The Plants Condition Under Drought Stress Than Mesorhizobium Alone And Uninoculated Control Plants. Co-Inoculation Had Significantly Improved Fresh And Dry Weight Of Leaves, Root And Shoot (P<0.05). However, Non-Significant Difference Was Noted On Nodules Number Per Plant Between Co-Inoculated And Mesorhizobium Spp. Alone Inoculated In Both Varieties. Relative Water Content, Proline, Total Soluble Sugar, Total Chlorophyll And Carotenoid Content Were Significantly Affected In Both Varieties. Hence Positive Effect Through Co-Inoculation Was Observed In Both Habru Than Arerti Kabuli Chickpea Varieties. The Present Study Demonstrated That Synergistic Application Had Better Potential To Confer Drought Tolerance In Chickpea By Altering Various Growth, Physiological And Biochemical Parameters Under Drought Stress Conditions.