Paper presented at the 52nd CFCS Annual Meeting, Guadeloupe, July 10-16, 2016
EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF VESICULAR – ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE ON TOMATO PLANT GROWTH AND PRODUCTION Vijantie R.R. Awadhpersad1*, Lydia Ori2, M. Narain2, A. Abiola3 and D. Kasanmoesdiran4 1
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Production,2 Faculty member Agricultural Production, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, 3Director Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture in Suriname (IICA), 4 Director of Ministry of Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV) *Email: vyantieawadh@gmail.com Keywords: Tomato, bio fertilizer, VAM, sustainability, fruit production Abstract Tomato is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. Therefore, for improvement in crop productivity in Suriname and most other countries, excessive application of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers is used. These result in gradual depletion of soil fertility and microbial diversity. Conventionally managed soils are found to exhibit a poorer micro flora and a lower biological activity then organically managed soils. Recently much attention is paid to organic cultivation and the use of bio fertilizers as a supplement for chemical fertilizers. VAM fungi have the potential to improve the sustainability of tomato production by improving yield and quality. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different concentrations of commercially available vesicular - arbuscular mycorrhiza on the plant growth and fruit production of two tomato varieties (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in the greenhouse.The experiment was set up as a randomized factorial block design with two independent factors and consisted of six treatments and three replications. The factors were two tomato varieties: hybrid 61 and hybrid 501 and two concentrations of VAM namely 2.5 and 10 g. VAM/ plant. Biomass was determined two times, at bloom initiation and at the end of the experiment. The growth parameters were measured once per week. The production was recorded only for the first two harvest times. Data was statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA. The results of this experiment showed that the VAM fungi had a positive influence (p < 0.05) on the production for both varieties of tomatoes. And it also resulted in earlier reproduction. There was no significant difference in production (p > 0.05) between the two concentrations of VAM inoculum used. Material and methods The experiment was set up as a randomized factorial block design with two independent factors. The factors to test the efficiency of VAM inoculum on the growth and production of tomato plants were: -Tomato variety (Tomato hybrid 61 and Tomato hybrid 501); - Concentration VAM inoculant (2.5 and 10 g. of VAM inoculum per plant). Three weeks after germination, the seedlings were transplanted for the implementation of the experiment in the greenhouse at ICCA. Before transplanting the soiled plant pots were irrigated and plant holes were made in the growth medium. During transplanting the concentration of VAM inoculant, purchased from Bio Organics, was applied to the plant. The experiment consisted of six treatments and three replications: • Blanco treatment tomato hybrid 61 (CV1) • Blanco treatment tomato hybrid 501 (CV2) • Plants inoculated with 2.5 g of VAM fungi, tomato hybrid 61 (T1V1) • Plants inoculated with 2.5 g of VAM fungi, tomato hybrid 501 (T1V2) • Plants inoculated with 10 g of VAM fungi, tomato hybrid 61 (T2V1) • Plants inoculated with 10 g of VAM fungi, tomato hybrid 501 (T2V2) To evaluate the effect of VAM fungi on the growth and production of the tomato plants, the following was observed and measured: • The biomass at bloom initiation and in the end of the experiment • The nitrogen and phosphorus content in the shoots at bloom initiation and in the end of the experiment • The growth parameters • The production was recorded only for the first two harvests Data was statically analyzed using a three –way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s Multiple range test. Results The results of the plant growth in a low fertile soil revealed that the plants performed well, though they were not fertilized. The Nitrogen and Phosphorus content are crucial for VAM symbiosis, which is characterized by nutrient exchange between the symbiotic partners. The results showed that in both cases there was a significant difference between the control plants and the treated plants (p < 0.05). The N and P content in the tissue of the treated plants was higher than of the control plants.
94