EFFECT OF RHIZOBIUM INOCULATION, NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND PLANT DENSITY ON GROWTH, y~1 LD AND MINERAL CONTENT OF PEAS UNDER SANDY OIL CONDITIONS

This study was conducted during two successive seasons (2000 12001 and
2001 I 2002) at the Experimental Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal
University. lsmailia to Investigate the effect of Rhizobium inoculation, four levr,ls of
nitrogen fertilization CO. 20. 40 and 60 Kg .N! feddan) as ammonium sulphate ana two
plant density treatments (2 and 3 lines per ridge) on vegetative growth parameters,
number of nodules. chlorophyU's a. b and total, N. P and K contents in the leaves and
yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Vegetative growth parameters increased with
inoculation alone or in combination with nitrogen application.
Nitrogen application significantly increased vegetative growth parameters.
Increasing plant density decreased vegetative growth parameters except plant height.
which increased with high density. Number of nodules on the roots was higher in
inoculated plants than un Inoculated ones. Nitrogen application and wide spacing
enhanced nodule number per root, The yield parameters (pods number and weight
per plant, yield per plant, yield per fed. and weight of 100 seeds) showed a Signilijlcant
increase with inoculation or nitrogen application over their control. However with
higher density all yield parameters decreased except those of the total yield.
Photosynthetic pigments Significantly increased with Rhizobium inoculation.
nitrogen application compared with the control. Lower density also increased those
pigments. Leaves contents of N, P, and K increased as a result of both inoculation
and nitrogen application. Higher plant density decreased leaves mineral content.