Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
A vast area of the world is negatively impacted by salinity which causes loss of crop yields. Modifications in the growth, mineral uptake, chlorophyll content, osmolyte contents, antioxidant compounds and yield of three varieties of yam (Dioscorea rotundata L.) were evaluated in saline conditions, in a greenhouse (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) and farm (0 and 50 mM). The leaf area, stem height, noose diameter, chlorophyll (a+b), dry weight of roots, shoots and ratio decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing salinity from 100 mM NaCl. K, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and K/Na decreased (p < 0.05) in plant organs in all varieties. Osmolytes (total soluble carbohydrates, total free amino acids, soluble proteins and proline) and secondary metabolites (total phenol, flavonoids, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) increased (P < 0.001) with salinity in Gana and Kwete in contrast to Bagaa variety. The accumulation of osmolytes is suggested to be biochemical pointers to the initial identification of plant tolerance to salinity and the associated osmotic modifications. The tuber yield exhibited tolerance at 50 mM NaCl of Gana and Kwete variety implying an increase of white yam production saline areas.
Key words: Osmolytes, Dioscorea rotundata, salinity, mineral uptake, growth parameters, agronomic parameters.
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