Rhizophagus irregularis and nitrogen fixing azotobacter enhances greater yam (Dioscorea alata) biochemical profile and upholds yield under reduced fertilization

Abstract

Greater yam (Dioscorea alata L.) is a tropical plant with a large food reserve in its underground tubers. Cultivating the greater yam is considered an essential food security crop. Yam tuber yield and quality is decreased by poor soil fertility, heavy use of fertilizers and attack of insect pest. The heavy use of fertilizers impaired the soil structure polluted the environment, and adversely impacted human beings. We employed Rhizophagus irregularis (Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungus) and nitrogen fixing Azotobacter to help reduce the adverse effects of fertilisers on the plants. In this study, we applied five treatments such as (1) CF: normal with conventional package and practices, (2) 70%CF: 70% chemical fertilizer, (3) 70 %CF + RI: 70% CF + AMF (R. irregularis), (4) 70%CF + AC: 70% CF + PGPB (Azotobacter chroococum), and (5) 70%CF + RI + AC: 70% CF + R. irregularis + Azotobacter chroococum, as donated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, obtained that 70%CF + RI + AC was found to be the most efficient treatment under reduce chemical fertilization for improving morphological traits and biochemical content of greater yam. Although some other treatments such as 70%CF + AC, 70%CF + RI, 70% CF and CF demonstrated considerable effects in yam compared with 70%CF: 70% chemical fertilizer.

Keywords

• Chemical fertilizers
• Azotobacter
• Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi
• Greater yam