Effects of Mycorrhizal Biofertilizer on the Biochemical Constituent, Nutrient Uptake, Chlorophyll Content, Growth and Agronomic Parameters of American Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) under Saline Condition
Nouck Alphonse Ervé *
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon.
Ekwel Sondi Serge
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
Momnjoh Edna Kindzeka
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon.
Erica Wiraghan Shang
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon.
Taffouo Victor Désiré
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Salt stress negatively impacts plant physiology, metabolism and productivity.The effects of mycorrhizal biofertilizer on the biochemical constituent, nutrient uptake, chlorophyll content, growth and agronomic parameters of American Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) under saline conditions were investigated. Seeds were planted in polythene bags previously filled with sand, 50 g of Biofertilizer and supplied with a nutrient solution for six weeks in a completely randomized design in a greenhouse. Plants were subjected to NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) with 0 as control. The concentrations 0 and 50 mM NaCl were tested on the farm for five months. Plots were arranged in a randomized block design. The number of flowers per plant, flowering time, number of pods per plant, yield and harvest index were evaluated. The results in the greenhouse showed that the stem height, leaf area, the number of leaves, noose diameter, dry biomass and chlorophyll content decreased significantly (P<0.01) from 100 mM NaCl. Mg, Ca and K significantly (P<0.001) decreased in plant organs with the supply of intake doses of NaCl in the culture medium. The different metabolites (Total soluble proteins, Proline, Total free amino acids, Total soluble carbohydrates and Total phenolic contents) increased significantly (P< 0.001) from 50 mM NaCl. The findings indicate that the accumulation of AMF positively influenced the growth and agronomic parameters of American yam bean under salinity.Their use alleviated the toxicity of NaCl, improved crop productivity and could be encouraged for better development of salinity affected areas.
Keywords: Pachyrhizus erosus, salinity, growth parameters, biofertilizer, yield