A Preparation Containing Rhizobial Lipochitooligosaccharides Improves Pea Productivity in the Field

The effect of biopreparations containing rhizobial nod factors (lipochitooligosaccharides, LCOs) on pea growth and yield was tested under field conditions. Experiments were conducted using Pisum sativum cv. Batuta as a model, which was grown on two different soils in very similar weather conditions. Rhizobial metabolites were applied at three different concentrations and the effect of the treatment was studied at flowering and at full maturity of plants. At both sites an increase in the root nodule number and mass, acceleration of the plant growth rate, and increase in the mass of roots and aboveground parts of plants after the application of preparations containing LCOs were observed. Despite adverse climatic conditions (low rainfall from flowering to maturity), the application of preparations with LCOs resulted in a significant increase in the pea yield, ranging from 11 to 16%, which supports the use of such preparations in pea field cultivation.