Evaluation of Rhizobium Strains Inoculation on Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Faba Bean in Debub Ari District, Southern Ethiopia

Atinafu Tunebo; Genanaw Tesema; Merdikios Malla

Abstract

Production and productivity of faba beans in Ethiopia are reduced due to biotic and abiotic factors. Reduction of soil fertility is among the most important factors that reduce the productivity of faba beans, thus the trial was conducted to estimate Rhizobium strains inoculation effect on the production of faba bean in Debub Ari District, Southern Ethiopia. The trial was conducted on cropland in Debub Ari District during the 2016/2017- 2017/2018 cropping season from August-December. Eight treatments were used for the experiment namely; control, recommended NP, FB17, FB1035, EAL110, FB17+50kgha-1 DAP, FB1035+50kgha-1 DAP, and EAL110+50kgha-1 DAP; which was laid out in randomized complete block design by using improved faba bean variety Gebelcho. Faba bean seed was inoculated by Rhizobium strains properly on-farm and sown immediately after inoculation. Rhizobium strains inoculation had significantly affect plant height, pod per plant, and grain yield of faba bean; of which the highest plant height (118.77cm), pod per plant (22.17), and grain yield (2421.4 kg ha-1) were recorded in response to application of EAL110 with 50 kg ha-1 Di-ammonium phosphorus fertilizer, while the lowest plant height and grain yield was recorded from absolute control. Inoculating faba bean seed with Rhizobium strain EAL110 with additional 50 kg ha-1 Di-ammonium phosphorus fertilizer increased yield up to 43.02% as compared to absolute control. Therefore, the application of rhizobium strains EAL110 with 50 kg ha-1 Di-ammonium phosphorus fertilizer was recommended for faba bean production in the study area, still further investigation should be important for determining the effectiveness of Rhizobium strains by isolating indigenous bacteria from the soil of the study area.

Abstract

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