African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.) Grown in Bangui (Central African Republic) under controlled conditions

Elian Hubert Dieu-Béni
  • Elian Hubert Dieu-Béni
  • Laboratory of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, Higher Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) of Mbaïki, University of Bangui, P. O. Box 1450, Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Touckia Gorgon Igor
  • Touckia Gorgon Igor
  • Laboratory of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, Higher Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) of Mbaïki, University of Bangui, P. O. Box 1450, Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Djamndo Djasbé Mathurin
  • Djamndo Djasbé Mathurin
  • Laboratory of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, Higher Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) of Mbaïki, University of Bangui, P. O. Box 1450, Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Ngalambo Emmanuel
  • Ngalambo Emmanuel
  • Laboratory of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, Higher Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) of Mbaïki, University of Bangui, P. O. Box 1450, Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Ngonda Cesar
  • Ngonda Cesar
  • Laboratory of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, Higher Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) of Mbaïki, University of Bangui, P. O. Box 1450, Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Gueret Egisthe
  • Gueret Egisthe
  • Laboratory of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, Higher Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) of Mbaïki, University of Bangui, P. O. Box 1450, Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Goudidenango Eric Borgio
  • Goudidenango Eric Borgio
  • Department of Agriculture, Higher Institute of Rural Development (HIRD) of Mbaïki, University of Bangui, P. O. Box 1450, Bangui, Central African Republic.
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  •  Received: 23 November 2021
  •  Accepted: 30 December 2021
  •  Published: 28 February 2022

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the growth and development of maize (Zea mays) in a greenhouse at the University of Bangui  for three months under controlled conditions. Data collection was done at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) for growth parameters (plant height, crown diameter, number of leaves) and above-ground, root and total biomass were evaluated at 60 and 90 DAS. According to the results of this study, height growth showed a significant (P < 0.05) improvement of 106.7 cm when plants were inoculated with Gigaspora rosea. The treatment with the composite (G2+G3) showed higher diameter (15.50 mm), followed by the Acaulospora laevis strain with a diameter of 14.77 mm. The highest biomass values were obtained with the G4 mix strain (322.95 g for total biomass at 60 DAS and 535.44 g for total biomass at 90 DAS). From this study, it is evident that mycorrhizal fungi biofertilizers provide significant benefits to the plant, and can be used to improve corn growth and yield. Thus, this study could be further developed in the field.

Key words:  Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Gigaspora rosea, Acaulospora laevi, Funneliformis mosseae, growth, development, maize.