SCREENING OF MODERN CHICKPEA VARIETIES BY RESPONSE TO BACTERIZATION
Authors: O. V. Lohosha , Yu. O. Vorobei , Т. О. Usmanova , О. V. Bushulian 
Published: November 2021

Objective. To screen modern varieties of chickpeas of Ukrainian selection by the response to bacterization, to identify varieties characterized by high increases in symbiotic activity and yield. Methods. Biotesting, gas-chromatographic, field experiment, statistical. Results. The response to bacterization of chickpea seeds of different varieties was studied in a field experiment in the southern region of Ukraine (Region of Odesa). As a result of inoculation of chickpea seeds with a bacterial suspension of an effective strain of Mesorhizobium ciceri ND-64, a significant increase in nodulation activity was registered. The highest increase in the number of nodules (51.6 % and 53 %) was reported for the varieties Odysei and Triumf. Upon seed inoculation with the studied strain, a significant increase in the weight of nodules of the Triumf variety (2.3 times) was shown. In the control variants, the nitrogenase activity in the nodules of Skarb variety plants was the highest (425 nmol C2H4/plant per hour), and in the Budzhak variety it was the lowest (159 nmol C2H4/plant per hour). Inoculation of seeds with bacterial suspension of M. ciceri ND-64 contributed to a significant increase in the studied parameter in the varieties Budzhak, Pamiat, Odysei and Triumf. The latter was characterized by the most significant response to inoculation with an effective strain in terms of nodulation and nitrogenase activity. Symbiotic parameters showed the weakest ability to respond to inoculation in terms of symbiotic parameters in Skarb variety. Pamiat variety was characterised by the maximum number of seeds per plant (18.5 units/plant). However, as a result of inoculation of chickpea seeds with M. ciceri ND-64, the number of seeds increased the most in the variety Skarb and amounted to 28.7 units/plant. In terms of seed weight, the Triumph variety was superior (9.5 g/plant). The yield of all studied varieties of chickpeas after bacterization of seeds with M. ciceri ND-64 significantly exceeded the control variants (without inoculation) by 21–56 %. The highest increase in control was observed for the varieties Triumph (0.49 t/ha) and Skarb (0.56 t/ha). The ability of nodule bacteria M. ciceri ND-64 to intensive synthesis of phytohormones and the formation of highly effective symbiosis with chickpea plants of different varieties provided a complementary interaction of rhizobia with plants and a significant increase in crop yield. Conclusion: Due to the interaction with aboriginal nodule bacteria, the highest parameters of nodulation and nitrogenase activity were typical for the varieties Triumf and Skarb, yields for Triumf and Budzhak. Screening of varieties by the response to inoculation with an effective strain of M. ciceri ND-64 indicates an increase in symbiotic activity in varieties Triumf, Budzhak (large-seeded), Pamiat (medium-seeded). The maximum increase in yield as a result of inoculation was found in chickpea varieties Skarb and Triumf. M. ciceri ND-64 are capable of active synthesis of substances of phytohormonal nature, which contributes to the effective interaction between rhizobia and chickpea plants.