Morphological Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Mycorrhization of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Cultivars in the Peri-Urban Area of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)
Brahima CAMARA
Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, UFR Biosciences, Plant Physiology and Pathology Teaching and Research Unit, 22 BP 582, Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire and WASCAL/African Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (WASCAL/CEA-CCBAD), 22 BP 463, Abidjan 08, Côte d’Ivoire.
Seydou TUO
*
Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, UFR Biosciences, Plant Physiology and Pathology Teaching and Research Unit, 22 BP 582, Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire and WASCAL/African Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (WASCAL/CEA-CCBAD), 22 BP 463, Abidjan 08, Côte d’Ivoire.
Germain DROH
Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, UFR Biosciences, Genetics and Plant Breeding Teaching and Research Unit, 22 BP 582, Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Lou Irié Rosa-Sandrine TRAZIE
WASCAL/African Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (WASCAL/CEA-CCBAD), 22 BP 463, Abidjan 08, Côte d’Ivoire.
Bossombra Laurent Apollinaire ANGUIBY
Department of Plant Biology, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, UFR Sciences Biologiques, BP 1328, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
Daouda KONE
Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, UFR Biosciences, Plant Physiology and Pathology Teaching and Research Unit, 22 BP 582, Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire and WASCAL/African Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (WASCAL/CEA-CCBAD), 22 BP 463, Abidjan 08, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In Côte d’Ivoire, okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) plays a key role in market-gardening systems due to its nutritional and economic importance. However, the productivity of this crop remains limited by soil degradation and excessive use of chemical inputs. From a sustainable agriculture perspective, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represents a promising alternative. This study evaluated the morphological diversity of AMF communities and the mycorrhization abilities of seven okra cultivars to identify those showing the highest affinity for this beneficial symbiosis. The experiment was conducted on an experimental plot in the district of Abidjan. Soil samples were analyzed by wet-sieving and morphological observation to characterize AMF communities, while stained root samples from the different cultivars were examined to determine mycorrhizal colonization frequency and intensity. The results revealed an average density of 4.48 ± 0.24 spores/g of soill, with a predominance of spores measuring 90 µm (52.30%) and 45 µm (40.11%). Ten morphotypes were identified belonging to the genera Glomus, Gigaspora, Acaulospora, and Scutellospora with a clear dominance of Glomus. Analysis of the roots showed high variability in mycorrhization depending on the cultivar. Colonization frequencies reached 100% in Noura F1 and Djonan F1, while the highest intensity (56.12%) was recorded in Noura F1, followed by Kopê F1. Conversely, the Divo cultivar had the lowest values. These results open up prospects for selecting more mycorrhizogenic cultivars and the promotion of AMF as a sustainable biotechnology for okra cultivation.
Keywords: Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF, microbial diversity, cultivars, sustainable agriculture