Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphorous (P) on the growth, nutrient uptake, chlorophyll content and some metabolites of eggplant (Solanum melongena L. VAR. Yalo) were determined under saline conditions, through a greenhouse experiment conducted for six weeks. Seedlings were planted in polythene bags previously filled with sand, 1 g of P and 50 g of AMF for all concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM NaCl) and supplied with a nutrient solution in a completely randomized design. The results of this study showed that increased concentrations of NaCl in the culture medium significantly (P<0.001) decreased the leaf area, stem height, dry biomass, chlorophyll content, K, Ca and Mg from 100 mM NaCl. The total soluble proteins, proline, total free amino acids, soluble carbohydrates, total phenolic and flavonoids contents increased significantly (P< 0.001) from 50 mM NaCl in all treatments. The findings indicate that P and AMF positively influenced all the study parameters compared to the treatment with NaCl only. The use of (P + AMF) alleviated the toxicity of NaCl, improved growth, physiological and biochemical parameters and its usage could be encouraged for better development of crops in salinity affected areas.
Key words: Solanum melongena, phosphorous, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, growth parameters, metabolites, salinity.
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