Effect of Bacillus Species Rhizobacteria on Kabuli Chickpea Plants Growth under Pots and Field Conditions

In the present research, some Bacillus strains were produced at the industrial scale in order to be tested on chickpea growth, under pots and field conditions. Bacteria reached high sporulation yields ranging from 0.8×109-2.5×109 and 8×109-10×109 spores mL-1 in flasks and 500 L bioreactor culture conditions, respectively. Under pots experiment, B. amyloliquefaciens (9SRTS) and B. amyloliquefaciens (CWBI) increased significantly the root mass (0.31 and 0.37 vs. 0.066 g, respectively) and reduced the percentage of discolored leaves per plant (41 and 26 vs. 74%, respectively). Under field conditions, chickpea plants reached 21.59, 23.11, 20.80 cm, after 1 month of growth in lots treated with CWBI; 9SRTS; 6SEL (B. atrophaeus), respectively in comparison to control (17.63 cm). Root dry mass was not affected (p>0.05) and values were between 0.87 and 1.36 g. At harvest, the total number and mass of chickpea grains were higher in lots treated, compared to a control. Importantly, B. amyloliquefaciens (9SRTS) showed the best effect on chickpea crop yield (236 vs. 176 grains; 153 vs. 114 g). These data estimated per hectare reached 7.65 vs. 5.7 q, so, a gain of 2 quintals per ha.