Effects of Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers on the Growth of Chickpea Plant and Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Contents

Rapid economic and population growth has led to rising atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating adequate soil and crop management for enhanced CO2 absorption. Plant and soil microorganisms have various effects on atmospheric CO2 capturing. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a leguminous plant, establishes a symbiotic association with rhizobium bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, enabling it to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) and sequester more CO2 into the biomass and then to the soil. However, the application type of fertilizers influences this plant’s growth and soil’s capacity to retain carbon (C). In this background, the current research aimed to explore the impact of various organic and inorganic fertilization methods on the growth and nutrient content of chickpea plants and nitrogen content and soil organic carbon. A long-term field trial was started in 1996 at Çukurova University Research Center, with the five treatments such as Control (without fertilizer), Animal manure (25 t ha-1), Mineral fertilizer (NPK), Compost (25 t ha-1), and Mycorrhiza + Compost (10 t ha-1). Chickpeas were planted and harvested in 2020. During harvesting, plant samples at 1 m2 area, and soil samples at 0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm depths were taken. The shoot, root and pod fresh biomass and tissue C, P, K, N, and Zn concentrations were determined. Similarly, the soil P, organic C and total N concentrations were determined. The results of the study indicate that mineral fertilizer resulted in a notable enhancement in the shoot, root and seed biomass of chickpea plants. Furthermore, mineral fertilizer resulted in a higher concentration of carbon in the roots, while the treatments involving animal manure, compost +AMF, and compost showed higher concentrations of K in both shoots and seeds. Seed P concentration was higher when animal manure was applied and exhibited similarity to the compost treatment. In terms of soil properties, the application of animal manure led to increased levels of soil organic carbon and P. Moreover, the compost treatment showed an increase in organic carbon in deeper soil depth. At 15-30 cm soil depth, both animal manure and compost treatments contributed to improved levels of total nitrogen. The good effects of organic fertilizers on soil fertility and nutrient levels in sustainable farming practices are highlighted by these findings. When compared to mineral fertilizer, animal dung specifically showed considerable improvements in soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.