TITLE:
Relationship between Selected Soil Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Mycorrhizal Status under Triumfetta cordifolia in the Cameroon Western Highlands
AUTHORS:
Romary Tchinda Ngnipa, Fritz Oben Tabi, Souleymanou Adamou, Primus Azinwi Tamfuh, Georges Kogge Kome, Alexis Boukong, Antoine David Mvondo Ze
KEYWORDS:
Triumfetta cordifolia, Soil Properties, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Sustainable Soil Management, Western Cameroon Highlands
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.11 No.4,
April
25,
2021
ABSTRACT: There is limited information
on the pedological requirements of Triumfetta cordifolia. A starting point for establishing such information requires knowledge on
the growing environment of the species. The aim of this study was to assess the physicochemical properties and
mycorrhizal status in the rhizosphere of Triumeffa cordifolia. Soil and root samples from the
rhizosphere of T. cordifolia were collected from three localities (Santchou, Bandjoun, and Balatchi) in the West Region of Cameroon. The results show that the
soils are dominated by a loamy texture and have a mean porosity > 50%.
Mean bulk density ranges from 0.91 ± 0.02 to 1.26 ± 0.04 g⋅cm−3. The sum of
exchangeable cations ranges from medium (6.45 ± 1.02) to high (11.21 ± 1.35)
and are evident of the satisfactory soil organic matter (OM) content in the
various localities (5.90% ± 0.42% to 10.65% ± 0.73%).
Total nitrogen (TN) content of the soils ranged from low (0.10%) to very
high (0.41%). Biological activity is low due to very poor OM quality
(mean C/N > 20). The average available phosphorus status ranged from medium
(18.32 ± 3.91 ppm) to very high (69.39 ± 26.09 ppm). The Cationic Exchange
Capacity (CEC) was moderate (19.28 - 29.28 cmol⋅kg−1) and was mainly contributed by soil
organic matter. Base saturation ranged from low (28.0%) to medium (48.83%).
Assessment of endomycorrhizal colonization showed that the intensity (I),
frequency (Fr) and specific density of spores (Ds) were not significantly
different among sites. A high level of available P in the Santchou soils
appears to be the major cause for the lowest values of Fr, I, and Ds observed. These results reaffirm the link between soil physicochemical
properties and endomycorrhizal infection in T. cordifolia. Site characteristics and soil OM
quality are factors to be considered in promoting the establishment of
mycorrhizal symbiosis for profitable and sustainable cultivation of T. cordifolia.