Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Inoculation and Gliricidia sepium leaves Mulch on the Vegetative Growth of Telfairia occidentalis (Hook F.)

Abstract

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae, and inoculation and Gliricidia sepium leaves mulch on the vegetative growth of Telfairia occidentalis was investigated in a field experiment. An initial 2.5 kg fresh weight of G. sepium green leaves were applied as mulch to T. occidentalis planted on beds with or without G. mosseae inoculation at planting with subsequent 5kg application at three-weekly intervals. Inoculation with G. mosseae enhanced luxuriant vegetative growth and together with G. sepium leaves mulch higher biomass yield was obtained. Nutrient yield and chlorophyll content were also highest in inoculated and mulched plants and lowest in uninoculated unmulched plants. Mulching increased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization of T. occidentalis roots more than what was obtained in the unmulched plants. The enhanced growth and the resulting higher biomass yield can be attributed to increased nutrient uptake and chlorophyll content caused by the G. mosseae and the additional nutrient to the soil from the G. sepium leaves mulch. The increased chlorophyll must have elevated the photosynthetic efficiency of the plant. The higher arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization in mulched T. occidentalis roots indicates a possible conducive rhizosphere condition created by the G. sepium  leaves mulch for the G. mosseae colonization.