Growth parameters, mineral distribution, chlorophyll content, biochemical constituents and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata (L) var. gana) grown under salinity stress.
1 Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala-Cameroon.
2 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili-Cameroon.
3 Department of Biology, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili-Cameroon.
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2020, 12(03), 139-149.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2020.12.3.0286
Publication history:
Received on 03 September 2020; revised on 17 September 2020; accepted on 20 September 2020
Abstract:
Soil salinity has a negative impact on crop production over the world. The effect of salt stress on growth, chlorophyll content, mineral distribution, biochemical constituents and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata (L) var. gana) cultivar regularly consumed in Cameroon were investigated. Plants were subjected to four different levels concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM), with 0 mM NaCl as a control. The supply of intake doses of NaCl in the culture medium significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the dry biomass (roots and shoots), growth parameters (number of leaves, noose diameter, leaf area and stem height) and chlorophyll contents from 100 mM NaCl. Mineral elements (K, Ca and Mg) and K/Na ratio significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in roots and shoots with increasing salinity. The higher sodium (Na) concentrations were recorded in shoots than in roots. The different biochemical constituents (proline (PRO), total soluble carbohydrates (CH), soluble proteins (PR) and total free amino acids (FAA)) and non-enzymatic antioxidants compounds (total phenolic (TP) and flavonoids (FLA) contents) significantly (P < 0.001) increased from 50 mM NaCl. The main strategy in cv. gana seems to increase osmotic adjustment through high accumulation of CH, PR, FAA and PRO in the leaves and they could eventually be considered as biochemical indicators of early selection and osmotic adjustment ability for salt tolerant plants. The gana variety could be encouraged to be planted on salt affected soils for the better development in salty areas.
Keywords:
Dioscorea rotundata; growth parameters; salinity; biochemical constituents; mineral distribution
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