Interactive Effect of Boron Application Methods and Boron-Tolerant Bacteria ( Bacillus sp. MN54) Improves Nodulation, Grain Yield, Profitability and Biofortification of kabuli Chickpea Grown Under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions

Boron (B) is a vital micronutrient essential for human and plants. This two-year field study was conducted to check the efficacy of B application methods along with BTB ( Bacillus sp. MN54) to improve nodulation, grain yield, profitability, and B biofortification of kabuli chickpea under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The B application methods consisted of seed coating (1.5 g B kg −1 seed), foliar application (25 mg B L −1 of water), soil application (1 kg B ha −1 ) and osmopriming (1 mg B L −1 of water solution) [water spray, hydropriming and untreated seeds being taken as control], with and without BTB inoculation grown under irrigated (Layyah) and rainfed (Chakwal) conditions. Interactive effects among B application, BTB inoculation and experimental location showed that B osmopriming coupled with BTB strain recorded maximum 1000-grains weight (24%), grain yield (41%) and biological yield (50%) compared with untreated seed under rainfed conditions while it was at par with B soil application. With respect to B-grain concentration, foliar application of B observed more B contents (86%) compared with control. Economic analysis showed that osmopriming of B along with BTB had highest economic return ($1994.3 ha −1 ) and benefit cost ratio (3.8) during 2020–21 under rainfed condition of Chakwal. Osmopriming of chickpea seed with B, combined with BTB ( Bacillus sp. MN54) inoculation improved nodulation, grain yield and biofortification, profitability and B biofortification of kabuli chickpea under rainfed and irrigated condition. Moreover, rainfed conditions of Chakwal proved more productive with respect to chickpea cultivation.