Stimulation of N₂‐fixation in chickpea by gamma irradiation as affected by different levels of ammonium sulfate fertilizer

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted under natural climatic conditions to study the effect of low doses of gamma irradiation (0, 5, 10, and 20 Gy) on the performance of winter chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the presence of increased supply of ¹⁵N labeled ammonium sulfate (0, 20, 50, and 100 kg N ha^‐1). Presowing seed irradiation produced a significant increase in dry matter production (up to 3 6%) and total nitrogen yield (up to 45%). The stimulative effect of irradiation was more pronounced with the application of NH₄ ⁺‐N fertilizer. Seed irradiation increased the amount of N₂‐fixation by 8–61% depending on the dose and level of NH₄ ⁺‐N fertilizer rate. A 10 Gy was found to be the optimal irradiation dose for enhancing N₂‐fixation. High levels of NH₄ ⁺‐N decreased the percentage and the amount of N₂‐fixation, but did not affect nodule formation. However, the presowing 10 Gy irradiation dose reduced the negative effect of ammonia‐N fertilizer on N₂‐fixation. Therefore, we recommend irradiating chickpea seeds with a 10 Gy dose before planting in soil containing high levels of mineral nitrogen to reduce its negative effect on N₂‐fixation.