CHANGES IN GROWTH CHARACTERS OF TWO CUCURBITS INOCULATED WITH MYCORRHIZA AND AUGMENTED WITH POULTRY MANURE UNDER SEA SALT STRESS

This study evaluated the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizophagus irregularis and Glomus geosporum inoculation on the growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments of Cucurbita maxima and Telfairia occidentalis planted in saline soil enriched with poultry manure (PM). Saline soil and salt water were collected from Ibeno, while non-saline soil was obtained from Etinan, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The experiment was set up in triplicates using a complete block design (CBD). Saline soil used had an electrical conductivity (EC) of 6.70 dS/m, while the garden soil had an EC of 0.29 dS/m. Saline soil treatment significantly (p=0.05) reduced percentage germination, shoot length, petiole length, internode length and leaf area. Saline soil treatment significantly (p=0.05) reduced total photosynthetic pigments of the test plants. Inoculation with AMF alone or together with PM increased the growth parameters in the two test plants both in saline and non-saline treatments. The results of this work have shown AMF and PM synergy can enhance the ability of the test plants to resist salt stress through some morphological and physiological changes as well as improved vigour through extensive network of the mycorrhizal roots which increases nutrient uptake.