摘要
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of oyster shell powder soil amendment to enhance cocoa seedling growth and induce resistance against Phytophthora megakarya in nurseries. The results showed that heat-treated oyster shells powder at 1% (w/w) soil amendment significantly increased plant height, leaf number, leaf area, dry shoot and root weight more than chemical fungicide and control treatment after twelve weeks of growth. The results showed that heat-treated oyster shell powder raised soil pH significantly and reduced P. megakarya load of the soil suspension by 82%. Assessment of resistance stimulation by leaf inoculation showed the highest level of resistance recorded in plants treated either with heat-treated or non-treated oyster shell powder. Furthermore, total phenolic compounds contents, total soluble proteins contents, polyphenoloxidase, chitinase, peroxidase and β-1,3-glucanases activities increased in both healthy or infected leaves from cacao plants treated with oyster shell powder more than those treated with chemical fungicide. These findings demonstrated that heat-treated oyster shell powder could be used as biofertilizer and biofungicide to improve the quality of cocoa seedling production and protect the plant against P. megakarya.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of oyster shell powder soil amendment to enhance cocoa seedling growth and induce resistance against Phytophthora megakarya in nurseries. The results showed that heat-treated oyster shells powder at 1% (w/w) soil amendment significantly increased plant height, leaf number, leaf area, dry shoot and root weight more than chemical fungicide and control treatment after twelve weeks of growth. The results showed that heat-treated oyster shell powder raised soil pH significantly and reduced P. megakarya load of the soil suspension by 82%. Assessment of resistance stimulation by leaf inoculation showed the highest level of resistance recorded in plants treated either with heat-treated or non-treated oyster shell powder. Furthermore, total phenolic compounds contents, total soluble proteins contents, polyphenoloxidase, chitinase, peroxidase and β-1,3-glucanases activities increased in both healthy or infected leaves from cacao plants treated with oyster shell powder more than those treated with chemical fungicide. These findings demonstrated that heat-treated oyster shell powder could be used as biofertilizer and biofungicide to improve the quality of cocoa seedling production and protect the plant against P. megakarya.
