Rhizobacteria-Based Biostimulant Mixture Effect on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Greenhouse and Cultivation Assays

This study aims to contribute to the improvement of the chickpea agri-food industry and adapt it to future challenges. For this, the effect of a Rhizobacteria-based biostimulant mixture was analyzed in Amelia variety of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in two different experiments: one in flowerpots in a greenhouse and the other one in the field grown under rainfed conditions. Germination success, vegetative development and phenological stages of the plants were studied after applying liquid biostimulant mixture on the seeds 24 h before sowing or spraying it on the soil after sowing. The results indicated that the way of application of the biostimulant was relevant concerning germination success, vegetative development, and phenological state of chickpea plants and it should be adapted to intensive agriculture with the use of seed drill that requires dry seeds. Regarding germination success, vegetative development and phenological stages in the flower pot assay, the volume of biostimulant mixture applied to the seeds was remarkable as higher volumes affected negatively while lower volumes were positive. Biostimulant had a negative effect on the development of chickpea plants in the field assay, probably because it also promoted the growth of weeds, which lessened the growth of the chickpea plants.