Optimizing Phosphorus Fertilization and Inoculation in Chickpea and Lentil

Develop recommendations for pulse growers in optimizing rhizobial and/or P-solublizing inoculants and fertilizer P for direct-seeding of kabuli and desi chickpeas and lentils in the semiarid regions of western Canada.

IPNI-2000-CAN-SK25

15 Mar 2001

Methodology

    In 2000, kabuli-chickpea (CDC Xena), desi-chickpea (Myles), and lentil (Glaims) were seeded in three separate tests at each of the two sites; one on a loam soil in Swift Current (established through SPG and MII funding), and the other on a clay soil at Stewart Valley (established through ADF funding). Plots were directly seeded, using an air seeder, on wheat stubble fields which had a low to medium level of available soil N and P and had no pulse crops been grown in the last five years. We used both rhizobial granular soil inoculant and seed-applied powder inoculant which contained identical Bradyrhizobium strains. So that, we can make true comparisons between the two types of inoculants. The experiment was layout with a RCB design with 5 replicates at each site. All measurements have been taken as proposed. Because the study is still in its early stage, it would not be wise to make any conclusions based on the preliminary data. Sound conclusions should be drawn after, at least, another season=s experiments.