MART-AZR Project Research Report 17 : The Effects of Inoculation and Phosphate Fertilizer Addition on the Productivity of Lentils under Rainfed Conditions in Upland Baluchistan, Pakistan

Abstract

The experiment reported in this paper was conducted at Quetta in both the 1985/86 and 1986/87 cropping seasons and at Khuzdar, 6uly in the 1986/87 season, to determine the effects of the addition of phosphate fertilizer and rhizobium inoculum to lentils '(Lens culinaris) under arid rainfed conditions. A large response to inoculation was observed in both locations and seasons. In particular, this was observed to increase, nodule number and root dry weight very substantially, and in turn, this : accounted for a general increase of more than 50% in seed and straw production. Inoculation is therefore concluded to be a necessary input in food and forage legume germplasm evaluation nurseries in upland Baluchistan. In contrast, the effect of addition of 60 kg/ha of phosphate fertilizer did not appear to materially influence plant growth and productivity. It was additionally evident that the effects: on crop growth of environmental variation in rainfall and air temperature. considerably influenced the length of the active growth season of lentils and thus productivity. Inoculation of lentils is concluded to be an agronomic intervention that has a potential profitability so large that rapid adoption and an increase in lentil hectarage in Baluchistan are likely once commercial supplies of inoculum are available.