Validation Trial of Rhizobium Strains Inoculation on Chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum </i>L.) Varieties in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

The sustainability of agriculture has become a major global concern due to the adverse environmental impacts of intensive chemical input use. The application of biofertilizers, such as rhizobium, can mitigate the reliance on chemical fertilizers, reduce production costs, and lessen environmental harm. This study evaluates the benefits of rhizobial inoculation in enhancing chickpea productivity and its implications for broader adoption. Conducted in the Becho and Seya-Debrna Wayu districts of Ethiopia during the 2019 cropping season, the experiment utilized two chickpea varieties (Habru and Natoli) and three rhizobium strains (cp-11, cp-17, and cp-29) in a factorial randomized complete block design with unfertilized controls. Data on grain yield, above-ground biomass yield, yield components, and nodule scores were collected and analyzed using ANOVA in SAS. Results indicated significant differences among treatments in nodulation, grain yield, and yield components. The combination of the recommended NPS boron blend (100 kg/ha) with the CP-29 strain yielded the highest grain yield (4.52 ton/ha), the most pods per plant (39.88), and the tallest plants (112.6 cm). This treatment increased grain yield by 55.22% and 26.41% over the uninoculated and unfertilized control and the uninoculated but phosphorus-fertilized control, respectively, demonstrating the potential of inoculant technology to enhance chickpea productivity. The Habru variety consistently outperformed at both sites, warranting its recommendation for further promotion in the study districts and similar agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia.