Effects of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense on chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) and faba beans (Vicia faba) under different growth conditions

The effects of the inoculation of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) and faba b eans (Vicia faba L.) with Azospirillum brasilense strain Cd were studied un der different growth conditions. In greenhouse experiments with both legume s, inoculation with A. brasilense significantly enhanced nodulation by nati ve rhizobia and improved root and shoot development, when compared with non -inoculated controls. Moreover, the bacterial treatment was shown to signif icantly reduce the negative effects on plant growth caused by irrigation wi th saline water. In field experiments, inoculation of chickpeas with A. bra silense peat-based inoculants also resulted in a significant increase in no dulation, root and shoot growth, and crop yield as compared with non-inocul ated controls.