International Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Research
ISSN: 2053-1818
Vol. 9(6), pp. 100-109, November, 2021
doi.org/10.33500/ijambr.2021.09.009

Evaluation of mycorrhizal efficiency of soils under cocoa farming by measuring the impact of inoculation on maize growth

Voko Bi Rosin Don Rodrigue*, Ouina Toualy Serge, Kouassi kouassi Clément, Yao Affoue Lea and Konate Ibrahim

Laboratory of Agrovalorisation, Department of Biochemistry-Microbiology, University Jean Lorougon Guédé, Daloa, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: rosinrodrigue@gmail.com.

Received 31 July, 2021; Received in revised form 06 September, 2021; Accepted 15 September, 2021.

Keywords:
Cocoa, Soil, Endogenous mycorrhizal, Mycorrhizal efficiency.

The decline in soil fertility in Côte d'Ivoire is one of the main causes of the low productivity of cocoa farms. This study was aimed at assessing the mycorrhizal efficiency of soils under cocoa cultivation for a possible production of inoculum based on endogenous mycorrhizae. The soils were collected from cocoa fields in four localities (Dagbabouo, Kibouo, Toroguhue and Zépreguhue) in the agroecological zone of Daloa, a cocoa production zone in Côte d’Ivoire. The chemical fertility of soils, the mycorrhizogenic infectious potential (MIP) and its impact on the growth of maize (Zea mays, L.) var GRMP18 were evaluated by performing bioassays. The soils of the four localities are poor in organic matter (OM) with a low cation exchange capacity. Zepreguhue soils are distinguished from others by their high levels of Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and assimilable phosphorus. In Zepreguhue, the highest MIP, the highest phosphorus concentration and the best agronomic performance on maize (Z. mays L.) were observed. Zepreguhue soils have the most successful mycorrhizal efficiency. These results constitute background data allowing to implement mycorrhization technology for sustainable cocoa and other crop cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire.

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