Guleria, VipanSaini, Himanshu2024-04-252024-04-252024-04-09https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810208381The present investigation entitled “Effect of biofertilizers on growth and yield of black chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties under mango-based agroforestry system” was carried out during the year 2022-2023 at Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Jachh-Kangra under sub-tropical conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of biofertilizers (Rhizobium and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) and mango trees on growth and yield attributes of black chickpea varieties grown as an intercrop along with the effect of the agroforestry system on the soil properties. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with combination of factors; varieties (Him Palam Chana-1, HPG-17, PBG-7) and biofertilizers having twelve treatment combinations, replicated thrice in order to estimate growth, yield, economic feasibility and soil properties under agroforestry system and control. Result showed the maximum values for growth and yield parameters of black chickpea varieties treated with combined application of rhizobium and phosphate solubilizing bacteria under mango-based agroforestry system as compared to control. The highest seed yield of black chickpea for all three varieties viz. Him Palam Chana-1, HPG-17, PBG-7 was registered in which with the seeds are treated with both Rhizobium as well as phosphate solubilizing bacteria (Rh + PSB) i.e., 12.56 q ha-1, 14.70 q ha-1 and 13.15 q ha-1 respectively. The lowest seed yield for each variety was however, recorded in control in which seeds are not treated with biofertilizers i.e., 9.39 q ha-1, 12.06 q ha-1 and 10.06 q ha-1, respectively. Among all treatments the highest (4.66q ha-1) total plant biomass was recorded (except seed yield) when biofertilizers were used in combination and the lowest (4.07 q ha-1) in control where no biofertilizers were applied. Physical properties bulk density, particle density, porosity and soil moisture content of soil and chemical properties namely pH and electrical conductivity does not show a significant change before and after the application of biofertilizers while there was significant increase in soil nutrients N, P and K. HPG-17 variety recorded the maximum available nitrogen and potassium content in the soil followed by Him Palam Chana-1 and PBG-7. The highest phosphorus content in the soil was recorded under variety PBG-7. From economic point of view, higher (Rs. 1,34,750.00 ha-1) gross returns and B:C (2.63) ratio were obtained in T6 (Mango + HPG-17+ Rh + PSB) as compared to control. Overall, it was concluded that among the three chickpea varieties HPG-17 performed best when grown with the mango tree and combined application of Rhizobium and PSB. Farmers should adopt this combination (Mango + black chickpea) with biofertilizers applications under similar agro-ecological conditions for higher economic returns.EnglishThesis