# Influence of Arbuscular mycorrhiza on the growth potential of *Termarindus indica*. L seedlings

Kareem A. A., Ogunwande, O. A., Olaitan, O. A., And Oyelowo, O. J.

Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria P. M. B 5054 Jericho, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Corresponding email: kareemakeem2014@gmail.com

## ABSTRACT

An experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of Arbuscular mycorrhiza on the growth potential of *Termarindus indica* seedlings. *T. indica* is recognized highly around the world for its nutritional and high health promotion values. The seeds of *T. indica* were collected, extracted, and sowed into a germination box. After germination, thirty (30) healthy seedlings were carefully selected and were transplanted into polythene pots filled with 2kg of topsoil and applied different quantities of Arbuscular mycorrhiza. The treatments used were (25g, 50g, 75g and 100g, 125g) and control without the use of A.mycorrhiza. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The parameters assessed were plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), leaf area, chlorophyll content and number of leaves. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that (T3) 50g of A. mycorrhiza with 2kg of top soil had the best performance in terms of height with mean value of 60.14 cm, stem diameter with mean value of 4.37 mm and number of leaves with a mean value of 13.33, leaf area with mean value of 41.17m and chlorophyll content with mean value of 83.4333mm while the least performance was observed in T1 (2kg of top soil) having a mean value of 9.67cm² in number of leaves, stem diameter with mean value of 2.07 mm, height with a mean value of 28.46 cm, leaf area with a mean value of 16.0 m. and chlorophyll content with a mean value of 13.2367cm. However, from the result, it was observed that, the interaction between A. mycorrhiza and soil nutrients were significant because of positive A. mycorrhiza influence on young seedlings of *T. indica*.

It is therefore recommended that 50g of A. mycorrhiza should be adopted for raising the *T.indica* in the nursery to have quality, healthy, good vigor and high production of the species.

**KEYWORDS:** *Termarindus indica*, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, Growth-Potential, Seedlings.

Received: 01/06/2023

Accepted: 16/06/2023

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jcas.v19i2.3

© The Author. This work is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Résumé

Une expérience a été menée pour étudier l'influence de la mycorhize arbusculaire sur le potentiel de croissance des semences de Termarindus indica. T. indica est hautement reconnu dans le monde entier pour ses valeurs nutritionnelles et de promotion de la santé. Les graines de T. indica ont été collectées, extraites et semées dans une boîte de germination. Après germination, trente (30 plants sains ont été soigneusement sélectionnés et ont été transplantés dans des pots en polyéthylène remplis de 2 kg de terre végétale et appliqués différentes quantités de mycorhizes arbusculaires. Les traitements utilisés étaient (25g, 50g, 75g et 100g, 125g) et contrôle sans l'utilisation de A. mycorrhiza. L'expérience a été posée dans un plan complètement randomisé (CRD). Les paramètres évalués étaient la hauteur de la plante (cm), le diamètre de la tige (mm), la surface foliaire, la teneur en chlorophylle et le nombre de feuilles. Les données recueillies ont été soumises à une analyse de la variance (ANOVA) et les moyennes ont été séparées à l'aide du Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Les résultats ont montré que (T3) 50 g d'A. mycorrhiza avec 2 kg de terre végétale avaient les meilleures performances en termes de hauteur avec une valeur moyenne de 60,14 cm, diamètre de la tige avec une valeur moyenne de 4,37 mm et nombre de feuilles avec une valeur moyenne de 13,33, surface foliaire avec une valeur moyenne de 41,17 m et teneur en chlorophylle avec une valeur moyenne de 83,4333 mm alors que la moindre performance a été observée en T1 (2 kg de terre végétale) ayant une valeur moyenne de 9,67 cm2 en nombre de feuilles, diamètre de la tige avec une valeur moyenne de 2,07 mm, hauteur avec une valeur moyenne de 28,46 cm, surface foliaire avec une valeur moyenne de 16,0 m. et teneur en chlorophylle avec une valeur moyenne de 13,2367 cm. Cependant, d'après les résultats, il a été observé que l'interaction entre A. mycorhiza et les nutriments du sol était significative en raison de l'influence positive d'A. mycorhiza sur les jeunes plants de T. indica.

Il est donc recommandé d'adopter 50 g d'A. mycorrhiza pour l'élevage de T. indica en pépinière afin d'avoir une qualité, une bonne santé, une bonne vigueur et une production élevée de l'espèce.

**MOTS-CLÉS:** Termarindus indica, Mycorhize arbusculaire, potentiel de croissance, Semences.

Introduction

One of the requirements for a successful
plantation program is adequate knowledge of
nutrient relations of tree species particularly at
the seedling stage. This is because the success of
any plantation programme depends on the
successful production of an adequate number of
seedlings of the right quality at the right time.
These seedlings should be properly raised to
improve the quality of planting stock used for
the establishment of the plantation.

*Tamarind* (*Tamarindus indica L.*) belongs to the
Fabaceae family; it is a multipurpose tree with
slow growth., Tamarind (*Tamarindus indica L.* is a
member of dicotyledonous family Fabaceae and
belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinoideae. It is a
diploid species with chromosome number 2n =

24 (Purseglove, 1987). The name of tamarind is
derived from an Arabic word "*Tamarind* - E- Hind"
meaning "Date of India" popularly known as
"Indian Date". Tamarind is a short trunked, multi-
stemmed, large, evergreen, or semi-evergreen tree
growing up to 30 m with a trunk of about 8 m
circumference and a crown diameter of up to
12m.Tamarind trees start bearing fruits at the age
of 13to 14 years and continue to produce fruits
even after 60years and some up to 200 years. Half
the pod weight of tamarind is contributed by pulp.
The pulp contains both sugars (30-40%) and
organic acids (8-18%), predominantly tartaric
acid. Pulp is also a rich source of vitamins,
minerals and calcium. The pulp is widely used as
a spice for souring curries, chutneys and certain
beverages. Tamarind is native of the Dry Savanna
of Tropical Africa and probably some parts of
South India. It is cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics of the world and has become naturalized at many places. India is the main producer and consumer of tamarind in the world. It is estimated that India produces 3 million tons of fruits and exports the tamarind products worth of Rs. 50 cores per annum (Kotech and Kadam, 2002).

Tamarind is traditionally propagated from seed; tamarind produces relatively large seeds that average about 11-12.5 mm in diameter. They are flattish, shiny brown to blackish, with a hard impermeable seed coat. Germination of tamarind seed is epigeal. On an average, tamarind seeds begin to germinate about 13 days after sowing, but may take a month to sprout (Joker, 2000).

The significant contribution of *Arbuscular mycorrhiza* plant is the symbiosis which are characterized by bi-directional movement of nutrients where carbon flows to the fungus and in-organic nutrients move to the plant, thereby providing a critical linkage between the plant root and soil (Garbaye, 1994). In infertile soils, nutrients taken up by the *A. mycorrhiza* fungi can lead to improved plant growth and reproduction, as a result, A. mycorrhiza plants are often more competitive and better able to tolerate environmental stresses than non-mycorrhiza plants. Tamarind fruit pulp is used for seasoning, as a food component, to flavour confections, curries and sauces, and is a main component in juices and certain beverages. Tamarind fruit pulp is eaten fresh and often made into a juice, infusion or brine (El-Siddiget al., 1999; El-Siddiget al., 2006), and can also be processed into jam and sweets, The medicinal value of tamarind has been mentioned already in traditional Sanskrit literature (El-Siddiget al., 2006). Traditionally, tamarind products, leaves, fruits and seeds have been extensively used in traditional Indian and

African medicine (Jayaweera (1981) and Parrotta (1990) both cited in El-Siddiget al., 2006).

*Arbuscular mycorrhiza* fungi belong to the order Glomales and form highly branched structures called arbuscules, within root cortical cells of many herbaceous and woody plant species. Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) can be found in almost all habitat and climates (Barea, et al., 1997) and at different depth of soil (Michelsen and Rosendahl 1990). Although the occurrence and efficiency of AMF have been widely examined in most valuable undomesticated fruit trees (Mathur and Vyas, 2000), little is known of the mycorrhizal status and responsiveness of inherently slow growing indigenous timber tree species such *T. indica*.

Hence, the study is necessary to understand the role of arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation as well as macro-nutrient deficiency on growth and development of the seedlings of *T. indicainthe* tropical environment. The result serves as a means to enhance the realization of full and wider benefits from the species.

## MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was carried out at forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Ibadan, Oyo State. Nigeria. The area's climate is tropical, dominated by rainfall patterns ranging between 1400mm-1500mm. The mean maximum temperature is 31.9°C, minimum 24.2°C while the mean daily relative humidity is about 71.9%. The eco-climate of the area is rainfall with two distinct seasons which are dry season (usually from November to March) and wet season (usually from April to October (Afolabi et al. 2021).

The materials used for the study of the influence of *Arbuscular mycorrhiza* on the growth potential of *Tamarindus indica* are seeds, polythene pots, topsoil, Glomus morae mycorrhiza, river sand buckets sensitive scale, vernier caliper. The seeds of *T. indica* were obtained from seed section of
<figure><img src="image_1.png" /><figcaption>Figure 1. *Tamarindus* leaves and fruit pod</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /><figcaption>Figure 2. Tamarind flower</figcaption></figure>

Sustainable Forest Management Department of FRIN, the Arbuscular mycorrhiza was obtained from the Agronomy Department of University of Ibadan, the inoculation was carried out according to Kareem *et al* 2012 in which mycorrhiza were added into three-quarter of the soil in each polythene pot before the remaining one-quarter of the soil is added into the polythene pot; The mycorrhiza were been added in four levels (25g, 50g, 75g and 100g, 125g) and control.

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>Figure 3. arrangement of seedlings at the Nursery</figcaption></figure>

The uniform seedlings of *T. indica* were carefully transplanted into 2kg of polythene pots already filled with topsoil. Growth parameters were assessed such as leaf production, plant height, collar diameter, leafarea, chlorophyll content and the experiment lasted for 16 weeks. The experimental design used for the experiment was completely Randomized Design (CRD). This consists of 6 treatments and 5replicates making a total of 30 experimental units Data generated from growth parameters measurement was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means separation with Duncan Multile Range Test (DMRT) at 5% probability level of significance.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The result presented in table 1 below showed the
effect of A. mycorrhiza on the number of leaves
of T. indica seedlings raised with 50g of A.
mycorrhiza (T3) performed best with the mean
value of 13.3 followed by seedlings raised with 75g of A. mycorrhiza (T4) with the mean value of 12.3. Seedlings used as the control (T1) performed least with the mean value of 9.6667 from the observation. However, the result obtained revealed that leaf numbers of the seedlings vary because of the different levels of A. mycorrhiza applied to them. However, the increased number of leaves in A. mycorrhiza inoculated plants compared to non-mycorrhiza ones has been reported for other species (Kilronomos, 2003, Kareem et al. 2012). The greater leaf number measured from treatments inoculated with 50g of mycorrhiza could be due to enhanced nutrient uptake probably as a result of increased root surface area that ultimately improved plant growth rate (Ortas and Ustuner 2014). Birhane et al. (2012), also reported a positive mycorrhizaeffect on the growth of Boswellia papyrifera seedling over control

seedlings, due to significantly improved phosphorus nutrient. The result from the Analysis of variance indicated that there was significant difference among the treatment at 5% level of probability.

RESULT OF SOIL ANALYSIS

<table><thead><tr><td>SAMPLE</td><td>TOPSOIL</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>pH (H₂O)</td><td>6.02</td></tr><tr><td>O.C%</td><td>3.22</td></tr><tr><td>O.M%</td><td>5.65</td></tr><tr><td>TN%</td><td>0.29</td></tr><tr><td>Na (mol/kg)</td><td>3.214</td></tr><tr><td>Ca (mol/kg)</td><td>10.277</td></tr><tr><td>Mg (mol/kg)</td><td>5.006</td></tr><tr><td>K (mol/kg)</td><td>0.212</td></tr><tr><td>Fe (mg/kg)</td><td>51</td></tr><tr><td>Cu (mg/kg)</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Mn (mg/kg)</td><td>340</td></tr><tr><td>Zn (mg/kg)</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>P (mg/kg)</td><td>1.06071</td></tr><tr><td>Pb%</td><td>0.5</td></tr><tr><td>Col%</td><td>0.02</td></tr><tr><td>Sand%</td><td>72.5</td></tr><tr><td>Clay%</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>Silt%</td><td>10.3</td></tr></tbody></table>

Source: laboratory Analysis, (FRIN 2022).

<table><caption>Table 1: Showing the mean of value Influence of Arbuscular mycorriza on the growth potential of *T. indica*</caption><thead><tr><th>Variable</th><th>Treatment</th><th>Mean±SE</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="4">Plant Height</td><td>0</td><td>28.5±0.65310a</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>40.4±0.45005b</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>60.1±0.68328d</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>46.1±0.99413c</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Stem Diameter</td><td>100</td><td>43.8±1.33128c</td></tr><tr><td>125</td><td>40.8±0.11050b</td></tr><tr><td>0</td><td>2.1±0.03528a</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>2.2±0.05783a</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Leaf Production</td><td>50</td><td>4.4±0.03283d</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>3.7±0.09713b</td></tr><tr><td>100</td><td>3.4±0.12667c</td></tr><tr><td>125</td><td>2.1±0.04910a</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Leaf Area</td><td>0</td><td>9.7±0.333333a</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>11.0±0.57735b</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>13.3±0.66667c</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>12.3±0.33333bc</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Chlorophyll content</td><td>100</td><td>11.7±0.33333b</td></tr><tr><td>125</td><td>12.0±0.00000bc</td></tr><tr><td>0</td><td>16.0±0.25423a</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>31.8±0.92559d</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Chlorophyll content</td><td>50</td><td>41.2±0.43975e</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>32.6±0.79919d</td></tr><tr><td>100</td><td>25.4±0.55149c</td></tr><tr><td>125</td><td>22.0±0.47876b</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Chlorophyll content</td><td>0</td><td>13.2±0.35900c</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>26.8±1.03125e</td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>83.4±0.63803f</td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>68.7±0.46427b</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">Chlorophyll content</td><td>100</td><td>38.3±0.59678d</td></tr><tr><td>125</td><td>23.6±0.28638a</td></tr></tbody></table>
The result in table 1 above revealed the influence of A. mycorrhiza on the height of *T. indicaseedlings*. It was observed that seedlings raised with 50g of mycorrhiza (T3) performed best with the mean value of 60.1, followed by seedlings raised with 75g of mycorrhiza with the mean value of 46.0800. Seedlings raised with T1 (control) had least height with the mean value of 28.4567 from the observation. However, the result obtained revealed that height of the seedlings varies because of the different levels of mycorrhiza applied to them. Therefore, these findings support the observations made by Michelsen and Rosendahl (1990) on *Acacia*. *Albizialebbeck* and *Leucentialeucocephala*. Similarly, Read and Boyd (1986) reported that A. mycorrhiza inoculation increased plant growth, mostly in height and root growth development. The result from the Analysis indicated that there was significant difference among the treatment at 5% level of probability.

The result presented in table 1 above revealed the influence of mycorrhiza on the stem diameter of *T. indica* seedlings. It was observed that seedlings raised with 50g of A.mycorrhiza (T3) performed best with the mean value of 4.3 followed by seedlings raised with 75g of A mycorrhiza (T4) with the mean value of 3.7. Seedlings raised with T1 (control) performed least with the mean value 2.0667 from the observation. However, the result obtained revealed that the stem diameter of the seedlings varies because of the different soil samples applied to them. Therefore, the increase in stem Girth recorded in this experiment can be attributed to A.mycorrhiza ability to improve symbiosis and suggested phosphorus nutrition as an important benefit. Greater responsiveness to and dependence of glomusmoceae is characteristics of A. mycorrhiza plants grown at lower soil phosphorus concentrations and low tissue phosphorus concentrations (Smith and Read

1997). The result from the Analysis of Variance indicated that there was significant difference among the treatments at 5% level of probability.

The result presented in table 1 above revealed the influence of mycorrhiza on the leaf area of *T. indica* seedlings. It was observed that seedlings raised with 50g of A.mycorrhiza (T3) performed best with the mean value of 41.1733 followed by seedlings raised with 75g of A mycorrhiza (T4) with the mean value of 32.5733. Seedlings raised with T1 (control) performed least with the mean value 16.0000 from the observation. However, the result obtained revealed that the leaf area of the seedlings varies because of the different soil samples applied to them. Therefore, the increase in leaf area recorded in this experiment can be attributed to A. mycorrhiza ability to improve symbiosis and suggested phosphorus nutrition as an important benefit. The result from the Analysis of Variance indicated that there was significant difference among the treatments at 5% level of probability.

The result presented in table 1 above revealed the influence of mycorrhiza on the chlorophyll content of *T. indica* seedlings. It was observed that seedlings raised with 50g of A.mycorrhiza (T3) performed best with the mean value of 83.4333 followed by seedlings raised with 75g of A mycorrhiza (T4) with the mean value of 68.7267. Seedlings raised with T1 (control) performed least with the mean value 13.2367 from the observation. The increase in chlorophyll content recorded in this experiment can be attributed to *A. mycorrhiza* ability to improve symbiosis and suggested phosphorus nutrition as an important benefit. This is in line with Analysis of leaf chlorophyll content of Paddy plants during vegetative stage grown in soil media containing macroalgae organic fertilizer (Kurniawan et al, 2021). The result from the Analysis of Variance
indicated that there was significant difference among the treatments at 5% level of probability.

## CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The study showed a positive influence on *T. Indicaseedlings* if inoculated properly with *A.mycorrhiza*. However, from the data analyzed it was observed that, the interaction between mycorrhiza and soil nutrients was significant because of positive mycorrhiza influence on young seedlings of *T. indica*.

The increase in number of leaves, stem girth and plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll content recorded indicates mycorrhiza displayed no parasitic effects on any of the treatments, but it served as a growth promoter on all of the treatments applied. However, the effects exerted on the seedlings were dependent on the quantity of mycorrhizal applied at different levels as its observed. Consequently, 50g of mycorrhiza (T3) had best influence in all parameters with respect

to the morphological characteristics of seedlings of *T. indica*

## RECOMMENDATION

From the results obtained, it is therefore recommended that; the use of 50g of *A. mycorrhiza* should be employed in raising the seedling of *T. indica* to increase production in the nursery hence sustainable tree production. Furthermore, more research works of *A. mycorrhiza* on tree species should be encouraged in order to enhance their growth.

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<table><caption>Table 2: Showing the ANOVA Table of Influence of Arbuscular mycorrhiza on the growth potential of *T. indica*</caption><thead><tr><th>Variables</th><th>Source of variance</th><th>Df</th><th>Sum of Squares</th><th>Mean Square</th><th>F</th><th>Sig.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="3">Plant Height</td><td>Treatment</td><td>5</td><td>1579.826</td><td>315.965</td><td>163.341</td><td>.000*</td></tr><tr><td>Within Groups</td><td>24</td><td>23.213</td><td>1.934</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>29</td><td>1603.038</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Plant Girth</td><td>Treatment</td><td>5</td><td>12.523</td><td>2.505</td><td>149.276</td><td>.000*</td></tr><tr><td>Within Groups</td><td>24</td><td>.201</td><td>.017</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>29</td><td>12.724</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Leaf Production</td><td>Treatment</td><td>5</td><td>23.333</td><td>4.667</td><td>8.400</td><td>.001*</td></tr><tr><td>Within Groups</td><td>24</td><td>6.667</td><td>.556</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>29</td><td>30.000</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Leaf Area</td><td>Treatment</td><td>5</td><td>1161.839</td><td>232.368</td><td>203.226</td><td>.000*</td></tr><tr><td>Within Groups</td><td>24</td><td>13.721</td><td>1.143</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>29</td><td>1175.560</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Chlorophyll Con</td><td>Treatment</td><td>5</td><td>6991.609</td><td>1398.322</td><td>1241.224</td><td>.000*</td></tr><tr><td>Within Groups</td><td>24</td><td>13.519</td><td>1.127</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>29</td><td>7005.127</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
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