Chickpea is mostly grown in sandy loam soils having receding soil moisture and Zn deficiency, which limits the chickpea productivity. Zn solubilizing plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may improve the availability and uptake of Zn in these soils. This 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of pre-optimized Zn application methods and Zn solubilizing PGPB (i.e., endophyte Enterobacter sp. MN17) on the productivity and quality of desi chickpea during 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. Zn was delivered through osmopriming (0.001 M Zn solution), seed coating (5 mg Zn kg−1 seed), foliar application (0.025 M Zn solution), and soil application (10 kg Zn ha−1) with or without Zn solubilizing PGPB, while hydroprimed seeds were taken as control. Zn application through either method improved the grain yield, economics, bioavailable Zn, and grain quality of desi chickpea. The maximum improvement in grain yield (43.7%) was recorded with Zn soil application followed by Zn seed coating (38.8%). The highest protein contents (22.8%), grain Zn concentration (45.8 μg g−1), bioavailable Zn contents (4.38 mg Zn day−1), and minimum phytate contents (12.0 mg g−1) were recorded by Zn soil application. The maximum mineral matter (3.89%) and fiber contents (4.81%) were recorded with Zn soil application + PGPB. The maximum agronomic efficiency (6409 kg kg−1), agro-physiological efficiency (160 kg kg−1), and apparent recovery efficiency (76.8%) were noted by Zn osmopriming + PGPB. However, the maximum physiological (289 kg kg−1) and utilization (10,559 kg kg−1) efficiencies were recorded with Zn osmopriming. Moreover, the highest economic returns ($1518.2 ha−1) and marginal net benefits ($571.5 ha−1) were recorded with Zn soil application + PGPB. To improve the productivity, profitability, and grain quality of desi chickpea, Zn application through soil or seed coating in combination with plant growth-promoting bacteria may be opted to maximize the productivity and profitability.

中文翻译：

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锌与增溶肠杆菌属联合应用。MN17 提高 Desi 鹰嘴豆的生产力、盈利能力、锌效率和质量

鹰嘴豆主要生长在土壤水分减少和缺锌的沙壤土中，这限制了鹰嘴豆的生产力。锌增溶植物生长促进细菌 (PGPB) 可以提高这些土壤中锌的有效性和吸收。这项为期 2 年的实地研究旨在评估 2016-2017 年和 2017-2018 年期间预先优化的锌施用方法和锌增溶性 PGPB（即内生菌肠杆菌属 MN17）对德西鹰嘴豆生产力和质量的交互影响。Zn 通过渗透引物（0.001 M Zn 溶液）、种子包衣（5 mg Zn kg−1 种子）、叶面施用（0.025 M Zn 溶液）和土壤施用（10 kg Zn ha−1）释放，使用或不使用 Zn 增溶 PGPB ，而水浸种子作为对照。通过任一方法施用锌提高了谷物产量、经济性、生物可利用锌、和德西鹰嘴豆的籽粒质量。谷物产量的最大提高 (43.7%) 记录为 Zn 土壤施用，然后是 Zn 种子包衣 (38.8%)。最高的蛋白质含量 (22.8%)、谷物锌浓度 (45.8 μg g-1)、生物可利用锌含量 (4.38 mg Zn day-1) 和最低植酸盐含量 (12.0 mg g-1) 通过 Zn 土壤应用记录。最大矿物质 (3.89%) 和纤维含量 (4.81%) 是用 Zn 土壤施用 + PGPB 记录的。最大农艺效率 (6409 kg kg-1)、农业生理效率 (160 kg kg-1) 和表观回收效率 (76.8%) 由 Zn 渗透引发 + PGPB 记录。然而，最大的生理 (289 kg kg-1) 和利用 (10,559 kg kg-1) 效率是用 Zn 渗透引发记录的。此外，最高的经济回报（$1518.2 ha-1）和边际净收益（$571. 5 公顷-1) 记录了 Zn 土壤施用 + PGPB。为了提高德西鹰嘴豆的生产力、盈利能力和谷物质量，可以选择通过土壤或种子包衣与植物生长促进细菌结合施用锌，以最大限度地提高生产力和盈利能力。