Effect of Bio-fertilizers on Growth Performance and Nodulation of Faba Bean (<i>Vicia faba</i> L.) on Nitisols of Anded District, North-western Ethiopia

Abstract

The increased dependency of applying excessive synthetic input of chemical fertilizers not only increased farmers cost of production but also has caused several environmental problems related to greenhouse effect, soil deterioration, and air and water pollution. Hence, the inoculation of bio-fertilizers could be a desirable alternative as they make the soil more sustainable and environmental-friendly; indeed, the growing crops using bio-fertilizers are worthy for human health. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of bio-fertilizers on nodulation and growth of faba bean under limed and unlimed soil conditions. The treatments includes four types of strains [(BF-17, BF-04, BF-1018 and BF-1035), Control, 21kgha<sup>-1</sup> and 150 kgha<sup>-1 </sup>urea under limed and unlimed condition) was arranged in split plot design with three replications. The growth and nodulation parameters were collected following standard data collection procedure and analyzed using SAS software 9.1.3 version. The study revealed that the highest shoots height (97.73cm) and root length (26.27cm) was recorded from plots treated with FB-17 and FB-04 strains under limed condition. Similarly, maximum value of shoot dry weight (24.87gm) and root dry weight (4.57gm) was measured from plots treated with FB-1018 strain under limed condition. Moreover, inoculation of fababean seeds with FB-17 strain under limed condition produced the highest nodule dry weight (0.4gm) and plant height (141.0cm) and in case of nodule number, the maximum number was recorded from plots treated with FB-04 strain together with lime. While in all measured parameters, the lowest value was recorded from the control plots. Therefore, for better growth and nodulation of fababean, it is recommended to inoculate seeds either FB-04 or FB-17 strains under limed soil condition in acidic areas.