EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA AND NUTRIENT ON GASEOUS EXCHANGE AND YIELD OF CHICKPEA UNDER TROPOSPHERIC OZONESETHUPATHI NEDUMARAN, D.K. SHARMA, ARTI BHATIA, DEEPASRI MOHAN, BOOMIRAJ KOVILPILLAI, G.K. DINESH AND KOKILA MURUGESANAbstract An experiment was conducted during 2020-21 and 2021-22 under FACE (Free air concentration enrichment) to assess the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and nutrient on gaseous exchange and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under tropospheric ozone (O3). Chickpea PUSA 3043 (Desi) crop grown with PGPR treated and untreated seed and three fertilizers doses (100% urea N, 75% urea N and 50% urea N) under ambient and elevated O3 exposure. Gaseous exchange (Photosynthetic rate, Stomatal conductance, Transpiration rate) and yield (seed weight per plant) were negatively impacted under elevated ozone treatment. In seed yield under interaction treatment, the PGPR ameliorates the negative effects of elevated ozone by about 21% and 20% in both years. Thus, in our study the PGPR treated seed was able to ameliorate the negative impact of EO3 exposure in chickpea crop. |