Isolation and Preservation of Native Rhizobium from Root Nodules of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

This study outlines a practical learning program for first-year B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture students at LNCT University, Bhopal, focusing on chickpea cultivation and Rhizobium isolation. Chickpea crops were managed from sowing to nodule formation, and active pink root nodules were harvested at 21 days after sowing (DAS). The nodules were surface-sterilized and cultured on Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar (YEMA). Isolated colonies were circular, convex, smooth, translucent, creamy white, mucilaginous, and confirmed as Gram-negative rods. This integrated field-to-laboratory approach effectively provided students with hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture and biofertilizer technology.