DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2018.v05i04.008

Pages: 236-243

Abstract: In recent decades, preventing crop losses due to biotic and abiotic stresses and producing more food and feed to meet the demands of ever-increasing human populations have gained unprecedented importance. In the botanical garden of the University of Yaoundé I, trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder and arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi on the growth of Vigna unguiculata and Sorghum bicolor plants. Twelve treatments for each plant were used; These treatments were: T0 (Control), T1 (Na2SO4), T2 (10 g AMF), T3 (10 g AMF + Na2SO4), T4 (Moringa 1g), T5 Moringa 2g), T6 (Moringa 4g), T7 (Moringa 8g), T8 (10 g AMF + Moringa 1g), T9 (10 g AMF + Moringa 2g), T10 (10 g AMF + Moringa 4g), T11 (10 g AMF + Moringa 8g). Vigna unguiculata and Sorghum bicolor seeds were planted at a rate of four seeds per plastic bag. From the germination date, agronomic parameters were recorded and four months after planting, leaves, pods and roots were collected for the determination of biomass. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA at p < 0.05. Results showed that low rate of Moringa oleifera leaf powder and mycorrhizal fungi increased the agronomic parameters and biomass production (20% and 94% respectively for cowpea and sorghum). Moringa oleifera leaf powder and inoculation increased root system development, biomass production and yield cowpea. The substrate inoculation increased nodulation and decreased mycorrhizal sporulation. The best results obtained were a low rate of leaf powder application.