Effects of Nitrogen Levels and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Biomass Production, Mineral Nutrition, Sugar and Total Phenolic Content of Two Zea mays Cultivars
Louise Nana Wakam *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I., P.O.BOX 812, Cameroon
Alvine Pokaa Nanhou
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I., P.O.BOX 812, Cameroon
Raymond Fokom
Department of Oceanography, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Douala, P.O.Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon
Severin Nguemezi Tchameni
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O.BOX 24 157, Douala, Cameroon
Eddy Leonard Mangaptche Ngonkeu
Regional Laboratory of Biological Control and Applied Microbiology Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Pierre Eke
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I., P.O.BOX 812, Cameroon
Jean Kuate
Regional Laboratory of Biological Control and Applied Microbiology Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Yaoundé, Cameroon
François-Xavier Etoa
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The effects of two nitrogen levels and AM fungi inoculation on nutrient assimilation and some biochemical compounds of two Zea mays varieties were studied. Plants varieties (CMS8704 and POP66RS) were grown in pots with two nitrogen levels and AM fungi inoculation for 82 days. Plants grown under Low N condition showed significant reduction in biomass production, N and P uptake. POP66RS cultivar proved to be more efficient than CMS8704 under nitrogen deficiency environment, which was reflected by increased chlorophyll rate and carbohydrates content. However, under AM fungi CMS8704 variety show better performance than POP66RS variety. Significant increase in plant dry weights, P and N uptake were recorded following AM inoculation. AM fungi positively influences phenolic compounds while it decreases the soluble carbohydrates and total chlorophyll under low and high N, for the two cultivars. Evaluating such parameters in plant during it growth in fill could be further exploited for maize selection.
Keywords: Nitrogen, maize varieties, mycorrhizal fungi, chlorophyll, phosphorus carbohydrates and phenol compounds