EFFECT OF RHIZOBACTERIA AND MINERAL FERTILIZATION ON YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS OF MELILOTUS ELEGANS PLANTS UNDER CONDITIONS OF EL-HAMAM AREA – EGYPT

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was approach a maximum yield of Melilotus plants by integration between bio-fertilizers and mineral fertilizers especially P fertilizers.
A field experiment was conducted for two successive years (2018 and 2019) using completely randomized field experiments with three replications for each treatment in El-Hamam area, Marsa Matrouh Governorate, Egypt  (between the intersection of the longitude 30º 34' 51'' N and the altitude 30º 15' 40'' E). Melilotus elegans  was the investigated crop, sown in the in plots (3×4m) in rows. Biofertilization treatments were Rhizobia, phosphate dissolving bacteria (Bacillus megatherium and Pseudomonas putida). The mineral fertilization was applied as a general treatment using three rates of 15 , 30 and 45 kgP₂O₅/fed. as calcium super phosphate(15.5%P₂O₅) mixed with the soil during soil preparation . N and K fertilizers were added at one rate of 80 kg N/fed. as NH₄NO₃ and 40 kg K₂O as potassium sulphate divided into two equal doses applied at seedling  and after cut one stages. The dose of 10m³ organic manure was added.
Obtained results clearly showed that, mixed biofertilization treatment recorded highest values for yield and its components as well as total N,P and oil % in content of shoot and leaves of Melilotus plant for two cuts and during two growing seasons followed by P.putida, and  then PDB while mineral P increase yield parameters with increase rates of P up to P3.
From the obtained results we can cocluded that, mixed biofertilization treatment combined with P fertilization  was superior  treatment for Melilotus plants under El-Hamam soil conditions .