Effect of rhizobium inoculation on juvenile growth ofProsopis cineraria (L.) Druce at nursery stage

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.