Cattle Manure Combined With Molybdenum and Bacterial Inoculation Enhances Chickpea Growth and Nutrient Uptake

Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) is emerging as a promising crop in the Brazilian Cerrado due to its drought tolerance and high protein content. It can also reduce nitrogen fertilizer inputs through biological nitrogen fixation. However, low molybdenum availability in tropical soils and inadequate nutrient management may limit crop performance. This study evaluated the effects of organic and molybdenum fertilization, combined with inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense , on chickpea growth and nutrient uptake. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a randomized complete block design in a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial scheme with four replications (64 experimental units). At 89 days after emergence, growth parameters, dry mass, nutrient accumulation, and soil chemical attributes were assessed. Cattle manure improved soil chemical properties by increasing P, K, Ca, the sum of bases, cation exchange capacity, and soil organic carbon. Cattle manure combined with B. japonicum resulted in the greatest root length (45.25 cm), whereas manure combined with coinoculation with B. japonicum and A. brasilense resulted in the highest phosphorus accumulation in the roots (2.44 mg plant ⁻¹ ). Overall, organic fertilization was the predominant factor driving plant growth and mineral nutrition in chickpea under these conditions.