Effects of Vermicompost and Microbial Fertilizers on Yield and Quality Traits of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of different microbial fertilizers and vermicompost levels on yield and quality traits of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars under Fethiye (Mu & gbreve;la) ecological conditions during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. & Idot;nci and Hasanbey cultivars were evaluated using two microbial fertilizers (Rhizobium ciceri and Bacillus megaterium) and four vermicompost doses (0, 2500, 5000, and 7500 kg ha-1) in a split-split plot design with three replications. The treatments significantly affected biological yield, harvest index, hundred-grain weight, protein ratio, phosphorus content, and nodulation characteristics. Across both years, & Idot;nci produced a higher biological yield (5757 kg ha-1) than Hasanbey (5542 kg ha-1). Vermicompost applications increased biological yield from 4994 kg ha-1 (0 kg ha-1) to 6167 kg ha-1 (5000 kg ha-1). Rhizobium inoculation improved biological yield to 5781 kg ha-1 compared with the control (5419 kg ha-1). The harvest index ranged between 25.1 and 27.9%, with higher values generally observed in Hasanbey. Hundred-grain weight varied between 37.2-38.5 g in the combined analysis, with the highest values obtained from 5000 kg ha-1 vermicompost and Bacillus treatments. Protein ratio increased from 20.3% in Hasanbey to 21.1% in & Idot;nci, and microbial fertilizers-particularly Rhizobium-enhanced protein content. Vermicompost and microbial fertilizers also improved nodule number and nodule fresh weight. Overall, the combined use of vermicompost (5000-7500 kg ha-1) and microbial fertilizers, especially Rhizobium, enhanced yield and quality traits in chickpea under the ecological conditions of Fethiye.