Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Effect of the Inoculation of Chickpea by Rhizobia on Growth Promotion and Protection against Orobanche Crenata

Yassine MABROUK, Omrane BELHADJ

Broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) is a chlorophyll lacking holoparasite that subsists on the roots of plants and causes significant damage to the culture of leguminous plants and, in particular, to chickpea (Cicer aerietinum L.). Here, we investigated the potential of some Rhizobium strains for biological control of O. crenata using a commercial chickpea cultivar (Amdoun) and different Rhizobium strains. Firstly, benefit of bacterial inoculation on plant growth and efficiency in N-incorporation were demonstrated with four isolates, Pch. Azm, Pch. Bj1, Pch. Bj2 and Pch. Bj3. Rhizobium strains were investigated for their ability to control O. crenata using pot and Petri-dish experiments. Inoculation of chickpeas with two Rhizobium strains (Pch. Azm and Pch. Bj1) induced a significant decrease in O. crenata seed germination and in the number of tubercles on chickpea roots. Furthermore, broomrape necrosis was observed both before and after parasite attachment to inoculated chickpea roots. The hypothesis that roots secrete toxic compounds related to Rhizobium inoculation is discussed.

Published Date: 2014-10-04;