Global Advanced Research Journal of Food Science and Technology (ISSN: 2315-5098)

October 2017 Vol. 5(1) pp. 001-007,

Copyright © 2017 Global Advanced Research Journals   
 

Original Research Articles
 

Passion Fruit Seedlings in the Humid Tropics of Nigeria: Relationship between Moisture Regimes and Fungal Diversity/Composition
 

Solomon, T.B1*. and Adedokun, .O. M.
 

¹University of Port Harcourt, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Crop and Soil Science

*corresponding Author: tammysolo@gmail.com
 Accepted 29 June 2015

Abstract

Yellow Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis F. flavicapa, Deg) is a highly valued fruit crop across the globe but highly susceptible to Fungal attack in the soil. Pot experiment was conducted in a screen house to  determine the effects of moisture regime on the level of Fungi diversity and composition in the soils and its subsequent impact on the growth and development of passion fruit. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with four moisture regimes as treatments (100%, 65%, 25% and 0%) each replicated three times. Pre and post planting soil microbial analysis, plant moisture content and dry matter analyses were carried out. Fungal count (CFU/G) population was highest in 25% moisture regime (1.7x10⁵ CFU/G), and decreased in the order 100% > 65% > 0% moisture regimes, although  Fusarium species as well as others were observed at the end of 21 days in 65% and 0% moisture regimes. Significantly at P<0.05, higher fresh and dry weights of the plant were observed in 65% moisture regime (375% and 78% respectively) compared with other moisture regimes. In addition, high shoot and root ratio were obtained at the same moisture regime. Therefore, for optimum growth performance, Passion fruit in the humid tropics of Nigeria requires less saturated soil.  However, to enhance the growth performance of P. edulis F. flavicapa and reduce fungal incidence in the humid tropics of Nigeria, soil water requirement by irrigation should be maintained at field capacity for at least once in every three days. 

Keywords: Fungi, Moisture content, Passion fruit, Seedling