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seed sources had good compatibility with Rhizobium strain Ca-181 and Mf-23a. Key words: ... comprise of the species of Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica ...
Indian J. Agric. Res., 50 (6) 2016 : 511-519

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE

Print ISSN:0367-8245 / Online ISSN:0976-058X

www.arccjournals.com/www.ijarjournal.com

Effect of rhizobium inoculation on juvenile growth of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce at nursery stage Sushil Kumari*, K.K. Bardhwaj, R.S. Dhillon, K.S. Bangrawa and N.K. Kaushik Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, India. Received: 09-01-2016 Accepted: 15-11-2016

DOI: 10.18805/ijare.v50i6.6668

ABSTRACT Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is a large genus comprising of more than 44 species and found distributed throughout the arid and semiarid region of world. Differences on growth parameters of 20 different seeds sources of P. cineraria were assessed in polyethylene bags under nursery conditions at Hisar. These sources were inoculated with three Rhizobium strain viz., VRF-76, Ca-181 and Mf-23a. The seeds of P. cinerearia collected from different seed sources had considerable variation for different growth parameters. All the tested Rhizobium strains responded for different parameters but strains Ca-181 was found significantly superior for majority of parameters. It was followed by Rhizobium Mf-=23a. However the VRF-76 strain was least effective. The significantly highest collar diameter was recorded in seed source RWC inoculated with strain Ca-181. Maximum root length (47.3 cm) was recorded in strains Ca-181 inoculated seed source (NNV-3) whereas a significant reduced root length was recorded in VRf-76 inoculated seed sources. Seed sources NNV-2, MV-3 NNV-3 and RTG were found having higher mean root length. Inoculations with either of Rhizobium strains significantly increase the shoot length in comparison to control. Maximum shoot length was recorded in the seed source MV-3 inoculated with Rhizobium strain Ca-181. Seed sources NNV-2, MV-3, NNV-3CAZRI and RTG had higher mean shoot length. These seed sources had good compatibility with Rhizobium strain Ca-181 and Mf-23a. Key words: Growth parameter, Nursery, Rhizobium strains, Seeds sources. INTRODUCTION Prosopis cineraria is a large genus comprising of more than 45 species and found distributed throughout the arid and semiarid regions of the world from south and Central America to Indian sub-continent. Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce of family leguminoceae, sub family mimosoideae commonly known as Jand or “Khejri”, is one of the chief indigenous tree species found in the north-western arid plains of India and parts of the central and southern India. It also occurs naturally in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Arabia (Singh et al., 2007). In Haryana state it is found in the arid region comprising the districts of Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, Rewari and parts of Hisar and Sirsa. The potential of Khejri as multipurpose tree species has been recognized worldwide. It holds an important place in the Indian Thar desert, for the production of fuel wood, fodder small, timber and its wood is commonly used for making agriculture implements. This tree has high medicinal values and also helps in sand dune stabilization. It is naturally growing as a vital component of traditional agroforestry systems. It is highly comparative with agricultural crops due to its deep root system and monolayered canopy. Due to its high nitrogen fixing ability it is known to improve soil conditions through the addition of organic matter and can *Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected]

contribute to higher soil moisture content (Khatri et al., 2010). This could be one of the reasons that many herbaceous and shrub species are associated with this tree. It has been found that approximately 4100 × 10v ha of earth’s forest woodland accounts for 40 million tons of biologically fixed nitrogen every year (Diallo et al., 2006) which is equivalent to 10 kg of nitrogen fixed in 1 ha/yr. This amounts to 28% of total estimated biologically fixed nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, nitrogen fixing trees (NFTs) have a high potential for land reclamation and soil nutrient enrichment. Nitrogen is the element which most frequently limits yields in both the tropics and temperate zones. Various estimates are available on the amount of nitrogen fixed under natural conditions of tropical forests and grasslands. It is estimated that a young developing tropical forest vegetation accumulated nitrogen at the rate of approximating 100 kg/ ha/hr. Woody legumes in arid and semi-arid regions of India comprise of the species of Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica, Albizia lebbek and Dalbergia sissoo. Different provenances of woody legumes exhibit considerable variation in growth which may be attributed to nodulation pattern. Selection of superior seed sources for N2 fixation abilities would greatly increase the species potential particularly on waste land in which nitrogen is generally

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deficient. Further selection is compatible combination of Rhizobium and host can be exploited to get maximum benefit of biologically fixed nitrogen. Therefore, this study aimed on the screening of different seed sources of Prosopis cineraria against different Rhizobium strains for compatibility and efficacy of different strains of Rhizobium on the growth performance to identify the best performing Rhizobium strains and seed sources combination for growth under nursery stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seed collection storage and sowing: To conduct the present study, the seed of Prosopis cineraria were collected from 20 sites located in India from different seed sources which are given in Table 1. These sites represent almost the entire range of distribution of this specie. Each seed lot was a composite sample of seed collected from 20 trees. The seeds were dried properly treated with celphos against insect attacks and were stored in polyethylene bags. The description of seed collection sites is given in Table 2. The studies were conducted in polyethylene bags under nursery conditions in the Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar. Before sowing, the seeds were first sterilized with 0.1% mercuric chloride and washed with sterilized water properly. For good germination the seeds were kept in boiling water and it was allowed to cool down naturally and seeds were then soaked for 24 hrs in distilled water. After soaking, the seeds were thoroughly rinsed with sterilized distilled water and then seeds were sown in polyethylene bags after treating with different strains of Rhizobium separately. In control, untreated seeds were Table 1: Details of different seed sources Seed sources Jodhpur City Nandri (Nagour) village Jaipur village Mukan village Mukan village Nandri (Nagour) village Mukan village Nandri (Nagour) village Mukan village CAZRI Jodhpur Ratanagarh city Jodhpur city Mukan village Rewari city Nagour village Kadmedi village Mukan village Mukan village Mukan village Chediya (Rewari)

Code No. JDC-1 NNV-1 JV-3 MV-1 MV-2 NNV-2 MV-3 NNV-3 MV-4 CAZRI RTG JDC-2 MV-5 RWC NNV-4 KDV MV-6 MV-7 MV-8 CRV

sown and after germination, two healthy seedlings per polyethylene bags were maintained in each treatment. The cultures of tree standard strains of Rhizobium were taken from the Microbiology Department of CCS HAU, Hisar. The inoculum for Rhizobium strains was multiplied on YEMA (yeast extract mannitol agar) congored medium according to the method used by Kaushik and Kumar (2003). The composition of YEMA medium is given in Table 3. Experimental details: Rhizobium treated or untreated seeds of 20 different seed sources of Prosopis cineraria were sown in polyethylene bags by dibbling the seeds in sand and were kept in good conditions in the nursery. Polyethylene bags were watered daily with the help of water can. For each seed source there were 3 replications of polyethylene bags and each polyethylene bag contained two plants. Observations has been recorded: The data on germination were recorded daily up to the completion of germination. However, for the final data the plants were up rooted after 120 days of sowing for observations. The data in term of collar diameter, root length, shoot length were recorded. Table 2: Description of seed collection sites Seed sources

latitude Longitude Mean annual rainfall (cm)

Jodhpur City Nandri (Nagour) village Jaipur village Mukan village Mukan village Nandri (Nagour) village Mukan village Nandri (Nagour) village Mukan village CAZRI Jodhpur Ratanagarh city Jodhpur city Mukan village Rewari city Nagour village Kadmedi village Mukan village Mukan village Mukan village Chediya (Rewari)

26  17 27° 00 26° 58 28° 00 28° 00 27° 00 28° 00 27° 00 28° 00 26° 17 29° 20 28° 17 28° 00 28° 10 27° 00 26° 58 28° 00 28° 00 28° 00 28° 10

73° 03 73° 44 75° 48 73° 30 73° 30 73° 44 73° 30 73° 44 73° 30 73° 03 73° 52 73° 30 73° 03 76° 37 73° 44 73° 30 73° 30 73° 30 73° 30 73° 37

20-50 15-20 50-100 20-50 20-50 15-20 20-50 15-20 20-50 20-50 20-30 20-50 20-50 20-50 15-20 50-100 20-50 20-50 20-50 20-50

Table 3: Composition of YEMA medium Mannitol K2HPO4.3H‚ O MgSO4.7H‚ O NaCl CaCO 3 Yeast extract Congored 1:400 Agar-Agar pH of medium

10.0 g/l 0.5 g/l 0.2 g/l 0.1 g/l 1.0 g/l 0.5 ml 15 ml 15-20 g/l 6.8-7.0

Volume 50 Issue 6 (2016) Statistical analysis: The data recorded were statistically analyzed following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Germination percent: The germination in all seed sources was completed by the 15th day of sowing. As depicted in figure 1, the germination ranged between 60.0 to 72.0 and 64.0 to 90.0% in uninoculated and inoculated treatments respectively. Rhizobium strain Ca-181 showed significant increase of germination over other treatments. A significance difference was recorded in the germination between inoculated and uninoculated seed sources. Inoculation of Ca181 strains increased the germination over control and other two strains which were at par. Though the emergence of seedlings started from the third day of showing and completed by the 15 th day of sowing irrespective of inoculation and uninoculation by the seed sources.

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Collar diameter: Collar diameter of 120 days old seedlings of Prosopis cineraria inoculated with 3 different strains of Rhizobium have been presented in figure 2. All the three strains of Rhizobium performed better over control. Among these, Ca-181 was found significantly most compatible followed by VRf-76. Among the seed sources, maximum collar diameter of 2.0 mm was exhibited by NNV-1 seed source which was significantly better than other seed sources. It was followed by MV-3 and NNV-2. The lowest collar diameter 2.3 mm was significantly better than all other treatments. It was followed by RWC and NV-4 which were statistically at par. Among Ca-181 inoculated seed sources maximum collar diameter was recorded in RWC seed source which was significantly better than all other treatments. Similarly Mf-23a strain exhibited more compatibility with NNV-1 seed source which was closely followed by CAZRI seed source. Both strain Ca-181 and VRf-76 supported significantly increases in the collar diameter over control.

Fig 1: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on germination % in seed sources of Prosopis cineraria

Fig 2: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on collar diameter % in seed sources of Prosopis cineraria

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Root length: It is evident from the data (Figure 3) that there was variation among the seed sources. The maximum root length (47.3 cm) was recorded in MV-3 seed source which was significantly higher than other seed sources whereas, the minimum root length was recorded in seed source CVR. Root length in seedling inoculated with Ca-181 strain showed significantly higher over control and other two strains of Rhizobium. It was followed by Mf-23a in which the mean root length was 28.8 cm. Among seed sources inoculated with VRf-76 maximum root length (32.7 cm) was recorded in RTG seed source which was significantly higher than other seed sources whereas in Ca-181 inoculated seed source, the maximum root length (47.3) was recorded in NNV-3 followed by MV-3 and NNV-2. Seed source NNV-2, NNV-

3 and RTG responded well to Rhizobium strain Mf-23a where the root length was 37.0 and 35.3 cm, respectively. Shoot length: It is evident from figure 4 that there was a significant variation in different seed sources, Rhizobium strains and their interaction. The Rhizobium strain Ca-181 recorded significantly higher shoot length 40.2 cm as against Rhizobium strain Mf-23a (31.0 cm) and VRf-76 (28.6 cm). All the three Rhizobium strains improved the shoot length over control; however, Ca-181 strain was found more compatible to all the seed sources and supported the significantly higher shoot length than other treatments. Strain VRf-76 inoculated seed sources were statistically at par with control where the maximum shoot length was in RTG seed

Fig 3: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on root length (cm) in various seed sources of Prosopis cineraria

Fig 4: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on shoot length (cm) in various seed sources of Prosopis cineraria

Volume 50 Issue 6 (2016) source. It was closely followed by NNV-2 and was statistically at par. The poorest response against this strain was recorded in seed source NV-4. The range of shoot length against Ca-181 strain was between 30.3 to 49.0cm in RWC and MV-3 seed sources, respectively. The maximum shoot length 38.7cm was observed in MV-3 seed sources when inoculated with Mf-23a which did not support seed source RWC where the shoot length was only 24.0 cm. Fresh root weight: The effect of three different Rhizobium strain of the fresh weight of the root, tested against twenty different seed sources has been depicted in Table 4. It is evident from the data that there was significant variation between seed sources. All the three Rhizobium strain except VRf-76 tested were proved to be superior over control. Among the three strains Ca-181 was superior to the other two. Rhizobium strain VRf-76 and control were statistically at par indicating that there was no significant effect of Rhizobium strain for overall increase in the fresh weight of root. The fresh weight ranged between 79 mg in seed source JV-3 to 111 mg in seed source RWC, 107 mg in seed source MV-7 to 126 mg in seed source MV-2, in seed source JV-3 to 114 mg in seed source RWC. With Rhizobium strain (VRf76) Ca-181, Mf-23a, respectively. On the basis of overall average and control the seed source MV-3, RTG and JDC-2 and RWC had minimum and maximum root fresh weight, respectively. Fresh shoot weight: The effect of different Rhizobium strains on the fresh weight of shoot have been presented in Table 5. All the tested Rhizobium strains showed a significant

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superiority over control. However, fresh shoot weight in Rhizobium strain Ca-181 and Mf-23a inoculated plants were statistically at par. Therefore, the Rhizobium strains Ca-181 and Mf-23a indicating uniform significant superiority over Rhizobium strains VRf-76. In Ca-181 inoculated seed sources CVR showed maximum (164 mg) fresh weight of shoot. It was superior over all other seed sources except MV-8, NV-4, RWC and KDV whereas Mf-23a inoculation supported higher shoot weight in seed sources NNV-2 (146 mg), MV-3 (146 mg), NNV-3 (141 mg), JDC-2 (144 mg), NV-4 (146 mg), KDV (146 mg), RWC (144 mg), etc. Root dry weight: As reflected from Table 6 that there was significant variation between seed sources and Rhizobium strains. Ca-181 inoculated seed source, MV-2 showed maximum dry weight of root. It was superior over all other seed sources. The minimum root dry weight was observed in seed source MV-7 (97 mg). Seed source JDC-2 and RWC inoculated with Mf-23a showed maximum root dry weight (104 mg) followed by RTG (102 mg) and NNV-2 (101 mg) which were statistically at par whereas in VRf-76 inoculated seed sources maximum root dry weight was observed in seed source (MV-5). It was followed by JDC-2, RTG, CVR and MV-3 and minimum root dry weight (71 mg) was observed in seed source JV-3. But under control the maximum root dry weight (96 mg) was observed in the seed source RWC and minimum root dry weight (67 mg) was observed in the seed source JV-3. Shoot dry weight: It is clear from the data in Table 7 that Rhizobium inoculation induced more shoot dry weight than

Table 4: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on fresh weight of root (mg) in seed sources of Prosopis cineraria Seed sources

JDC-1 NNV-1 JV-3 MV-1 MV-2 NNV-2 MV-3 NNV-3 MV-4 CAZRI RTG JDC-2 MV-5 RWC NV-4 KDV MV-6 MV-7 MV-8 CVR Mean CD at 5%

Rhizobium strains VRf-76

Ca-181

85 101 79 103 102 107 108 103 97 98 107 109 102 111 108 106 90 90 96 106 100 Seed sources: 3;

112 121 117 119 126 121 121 115 114 110 121 121 116 124 119 121 111 107 116 116 117 Rhizobium: 10;

Mf-23a

Control

104 83 109 96 95 75 110 101 113 91 110 84 111 105 105 90 101 92 102 102 111 106 111 103 106 90 114 108 112 104 110 104 95 79 100 84 101 92 108 99 106 94 Seed sources × Rhizobium: 2

Mean 96 107 92 108 108 106 111 103 101 103 111 111 104 114 111 110 94 95 101 107 105

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Table 5: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on fresh weight of shoot (mg) in seed sources of Prosopis cineraria Seed sources

JDC-1 NNV-1 JV-3 MV-1 MV-2 NNV-2 MV-3 NNV-3 MV-4 CAZRI RTG JDC-2 MV-5 RWC NV-4 KDV MV-6 MV-7 MV-8 CVR Mean CD at 5%

Rhizobium strains VRf-76

Ca-181

107 136 113 133 130 135 137 138 136 137 124 137 135 143 143 142 132 144 144 137 129 Seed sources: 2;

139 124 122 123 136 126 125 129 137 144 130 126 153 162 136 156 145 145 158 164 140 Rhizobium: 15;

Mf-23a

Control

145 106 142 111 133 113 135 112 141 111 146 103 146 115 141 108 139 106 142 110 138 103 144 102 145 105 144 110 146 102 146 105 135 107 125 104 138 108 103 98 139 107 Seed sources × Rhizobium: 4

Mean 124 128 120 126 130 128 121 129 130 133 124 127 135 140 139 137 130 130 137 126 128

Table 6: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on root dry weight (mg) in seed sources of Prosopis cineraria Seed sources

Rhizobium strains VRf-76

JDC-1 NNV-1 JV-3 MV-1 MV-2 NNV-2 MV-3 NNV-3 MV-4 CAZRI RTG JDC-2 MV-5 RWC NV-4 KDV MV-6 MV-7 MV-8 CVR Mean CD at 5%

79 93 71 96 89 93 100 92 89 89 99 97 103 87 90 98 84 83 88 98 87 Seed sources: 2;

Ca-181

Mf-23a

106 95 111 97 109 87 108 99 116 102 111 101 110 100 108 95 110 94 108 93 110 102 113 104 106 98 110 104 109 102 105 92 100 92 97 93 105 97 106 99 108 97 Rhizobium: 11; Seed sources × Rhizobium: 2

uninoculated seed sources of P. cineraria. Both the strains Ca-181 and Mf-23a showed significantly higher shoot dry weight than control. In between the Rhizobium strain Ca181 was graded superior followed by Mf-23a. Strain VRf76 was at par with control. Rhizobium strain Ca-181

Control

Mean

71 88 67 85 79 76 91 81 80 89 95 95 81 96 93 95 73 76 85 90 84

88 97 84 97 97 95 100 94 93 94 102 102 97 99 99 98 87 87 94 98 94

inoculated seed source JV-3 showed maximum dry weight (124 mg) followed by NNV-3 and minimum shoot dry weight (108 mg) was observed in seed source JDC-1. Another strains Mf-23a supported maximum shoot dry weight (107 mg) in seed source RTG and minimum shoot dry weight (95 mg) in

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Table 7: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on shoot dry weight (mg) in seed sources of Prosopis cineraria Seed sources JDC-1 NNV-1 JV-3 MV-1 MV-2 NNV-2 MV-3 NNV-3 MV-4 CAZRI RTG JDC-2 MV-5 RWC NV-4 KDV MV-6 MV-7 MV-8 CVR Mean CD at 5%

Rhizobium strains VRf-76

Ca-181

85 98 76 100 92 96 102 96 93 97 104 100 102 95 101 99 91 96 91 100 91 Seed sources: 2;

108 112 124 115 119 117 124 117 113 113 115 115 112 166 116 114 102 105 110 121 115 Rhizobium: 12;

seed source JV-3. Whereas, VRf-76 inoculation supported maximum shoot dry weight (104 mg) in seed source RTG and minimum shoot dry weight (76 mg) in seed source JV-3. Root-shoot ratio: The effect of different Rhizobium strains on root shoot ratio in different seed sources of P. cineraria is presented in Table 8. It is evident from the data that the highest root-shoot ratio was observed with Rhizobium strain VRf-76. The highest mean value was recorded by the Rhizobium strain VRF-76 as compared to both the Rhizobium strains. The root shoot ratio ranged between 0.88 in seed source RTG inoculated with ca-181 strain to 0.96 in seed source JV-3 inoculated with VRf-76 strain among all the seed sources. Rhizobium strain VRf-76 supported maximum root-shoot ratio (0.96) in seed source JV-3 and minimum root shoot ratio (0.92) was observed in seed source RWC whereas under Rhizobium strain Mf-23a maximum root shoot ratio was observed (0.95) in seed source (JCD-1) and minimum (0.90) was observed in seed source RWC. A significance difference was recorded in the germination between inoculated and uninoculated seed sources. Inoculation of Ca-181 strains increased the germination over control and other two strains which were at par. Though the emergence of seedlings started from the third day of showing and completed by the 15th day of sowing irrespective of inoculation and uninoculation by the seed sources. The studies further revealed that Rhizobium inoculation significantly increased the collar diameter of seed sources at P. cineraria seed sources NNV-1, RTG and RWC

Mf-23a

Control

99 75 100 91 95 72 102 88 105 82 105 78 106 96 101 82 102 82 98 94 107 96 110 95 107 85 102 101 107 97 109 97 104 81 95 83 102 86 104 98 103 81 Seed sources × Rhizobium: 3

Mean 92 100 92 101 100 99 108 99 98 101 106 105 102 104 105 105 95 95 97 106 100

were adjusted the superior whereas KDV, NV-4 and CVR were graded as inferior. Among the Rhizobium strains Ca181 increased the collar diameter to a tune of 2.6mm seed sources RWC. The similar results is also recorded by UmaliaGarcia et al. (1988) who reported in significant increase in the collar diameter of L. leucocephala on inoculation with the Rhizobium strain. Present results are in accordance with the findings of Gupta et al., 2014. Jamaluddin et al. (1995) also reported significant increase in the collar diameter of Albizia lebbek on inoculation with the Rhizobium strain isolated from A. lebbek. Present investigations indicating maximum root length was observed in seed sources NNV-3 inoculated with strain Ca-181. However, within the seed sources there was significance difference in root length whereas VRf-76 inoculated seed sources showed a significant reduction in the root length over control. The seed sources namely NNV2, MV-3, NNV-3 had higher root length. The similar results were recorded by Ramprasad et al. (1984) who reported Rhizobium inoculation of soil was found to enhance the plant root length of L. leucocephala to a considerable extent. Toky et al. (1995) observed a significant difference among the root length of different provenances of A. nilotica inoculated with Rhizobium. But in contrast, Thapar et al. (1992) did not find any difference between inoculated and uninoculated provenances of A. nilotica. Present study clearly demonstrates that inoculation of seed sources of P. cineraria with either of the three strains of Rhizobium significantly

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Table 8: Effect of different Rhizobium strains on root:shoot ratio in seed sources of Prosopis cineraria Seed sources

Rhizobium strains VRf-76

JDC-1 NNV-1 JV-3 MV-1 MV-2 NNV-2 MV-3 NNV-3 MV-4 CAZRI RTG JDC-2 MV-5 RWC NV-4 KDV MV-6 MV-7 MV-8 CVR Mean CD at 5%

0.92 0.86 0.96 0.96 0.93 0.94 0.92 0.96 0.91 0.87 0.93 0.91 0.93 0.92 0.95 0.85 0.85 0.86 0.88 0.92 0.87 Seed sources: 0.01;

Ca-181 0.93 0.86 0.91 0.82 0.93 0.91 0.91 0.93 0.88 0.90 0.88 0.91 0.94 0.89 0.92 0.92 0.89 0.86 0.88 0.89 0.90 Rhizobium: 0.20;

increased the shoot length. However a variation occurred within the Rhizobium strains as well as in seed sources. The best strains was Ca-181 followed by Mf-23a and VRf-76 of the twenty seed sources NNV-2, MV-3, NNV-3, CAZRI and RTG showed good computability with Rhizobium. Similar results were obtained by Toky et al. (1995) in A. nilotica and Verma et al (1994) in A. lebbek who significantly observed in shoot length in Rhizobium inoculation treatments. Significant differences were observed in root and shoot fresh weight in twenty different seed sources of P. cineraria. Maximum root weight in seed source MV-2 when inoculated Ca-181 was recorded whereas maximum fresh weight of shoot was observed in seed source CVR. Inoculation of seed sources with any of the three strains increased the fresh root and shoot weight over uninoculated control. Seed sources RWC, MV-3 and NV-4 were found more compatible with Rhizobium inoculation. The results are supported by those obtained in A. lebbek (Lal and Khanna, 1993) and A. nilotica (Beniwal et al., 1995). Dhar et al. (1989) observed in significant increase in the total dry matter in L. leucocephala when inoculated with different strains of Rhizobium. Increased dry weight of root and shoot of P. cineraria was observed in Rhizobium inoculated seed sources. When MV-2 was inoculated with Ca-181 strain, maximum shoot, dry weight was observed. Similar results were recorded by Kaushik and Kumar (2003) in P. cineraria and A. nilotica, Beniwal et al. (1992). Root shoot ratio is the relative measure of the above ground growth corresponding

Mf-23a

Control

0.95 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.91 0.92 0.93 0.91 0.90 0.93 0.91 0.94 0.92 0.94 0.89 0.86 0.92 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.92 0.90 0.89 0.99 0.91 0.89 0.86 0.86 0.88 0.89 0.90 0.88 0.90 0.91 0.90 0.91 0.91 Seed sources × Rhizobium: 0.06

Mean 0.96 0.83 0.93 0.93 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.93 0.91 0.88 0.91 0.91 0.92 0.90 0.94 0.88 0.87 0.88 0.88 0.90 0.90

to below growth. Highest Root: Shoot ratio was recorded in seed source NV-4 inoculated with Mf-23a strain and minimum Root: Shoot ratio was recorded in uninoculated seed source. On over all bases the seed source NV-4 followed by JV-3 was observed as promising seed source. Root and shoot dry weight increased significantly in Rhizobium inoculated seed sources over control. On mean basis the maximum root: shoot ratio was recorded in the Rhizobium strain Mf-23a. Whereas minimum root: shoot ratio was recorded in Rhizobium VRf-76. However maximum root: shoot ratio was recorded in seed source JV-3 inoculated with VRf-76 strain. CONCLUSIONS Among all the Rhizobium strains, the strain Ca-181 was found significantly superior for majority of parameters and it was closely Mf-23a. However the VRF-76 strain was least effective. Regarding the growth parameters, seed source RWC inoculated with strain Ca-181 recorded significantly highest collar diameter. Maximum root length (47.3 cm) was recorded in strains Ca-181 inoculated seed source (NNV-3) whereas a significant reduced root length was recorded in VRf-76 inoculated seed sources. Seed sources NNV-2, MV3 NNV-3 and RTG were found promising for mean root length. Among 20 seed sources, NNV-2, MV-3, NNV3CAZRI and RTG performed well as compared to others for mean shoot length. These seed sources had also good compatibility with Rhizobium strain Ca-181 and Mf-23a.

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REFERENCES Beniwal, R.S., Toky, O.P. and Sharma, P.K. (1992) Effect of mycorrhizae fungi and Phosphorus on growth and nodulation of Acacia Nilotica (L). Willd ex De. Crop Research 5: 172-176. Beniwal, R.S., Toky, O.P. and Sharma P.K. (1995) Genetic variability in symbiotic nitrogen fixation between Provenances Acacia Nilotica (L). Willd ex De. Journal of Arid Environment 27: 49-54. Dhar, B. W., Singh, D.P., Mesh Ram, S.U. and Wattal, P.N. (1989). Relative effectiveness of different strains of Rhizobium on morphological attributes of Leucaena leucocephala. Indian Forester 12: 310-313. Diallo, M.D., Duponnoisc, R., Guissea, A., Sallb, S., Chotteb, J.L. and Thioulouse, J. (2006). Biological effects of native and exotic plant residues on plant growth, microbial biomass and N availability under controlled conditions. European Journal of Soil Biology 42: 238-246. Gupta, A., Sharma, G., Pandey, S., Verma, B., Pal, V. and Agrawal, S.S. (2014). Prosopis cineraria and its various therapeutic effects with special reference to diabetes: a Novel Approach. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Review Research 27: 328-333. Jamaluddin, Dadwal, V.S. and Chauhan, J.S. (1995). Efficacy of different Rhizobium strains of forest tree species on Albizia lebbek. Indian Forester 121: 647-650. Kaushik N and Kumar V (2003). Khejri based agroforestry system for arid Haryana. Indian Journal of Arid Environment 55: 433-440. Khatri, A., Rathore, A. and Patil, U.K. (2010). Prosopis cineraria (l.) druce: A boon plant of desert: An overview. International Journal of Biomedical and Advance Research 1:141-145. Lal, B. and Khanna, S. (1993). Renodulation and nitrogen fixing potential of Acacia nilotica inoculated with Rhizobium isolates. Canadian Microbiology 39:87-91. Ram Prasad, Jamaluddin and V.S. Dadwal (1984) The studies of nodulation behavior in Leucaena leucocephala. Indian Forester 110: 1149-1154. Singh, G. Mutha, S. and Bala, N. (2007). Effect of tree density on productivity of a Prosopis cineraria  agroforestry system in North Western India. Journal of Arid Environments 70: 152-163. Thaper, H.S.; Vuyon, A.K.; and Kamla Uniyal (1992) Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrihial associations and root colonization in some important tree species. Indian Forester 118: 207-212. Toky, O.P., Kaushik, N. and Sharma, P.K. (1995) Genetic variability in Progenies of Acacia nilotica (L.) ex. Del. Ssp indica Berenan for nitrogen fixing ability. Silave Genetica 49: 161-165. Umalia-Garcia, M., Libut, J.S. and Baggayan, R.L. (1988). Effect of Rhizobium inoculation on growth and nodulation of Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosh and Acacia mangium Willd. In the nursery. Plant and Soil 108:71-78. Abstract no. 27. Verma, R.K. Jamaluddin and Gupta B.N. (1994) Effect of inoculation of VAM fungi and Rhizobium on Growth and Biomass production in Acacia nilotica and nursery. Indian Forester 120: 1089-1094.