Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 30: 1839 - 1844. Published June 9, 2010.
The study of sodium and potassium distribution in five host species of Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) S. Balle in the littoral region of Cameroon
Didier Siegfried Dibong1*, Victor Desire Taffouo1, Zenabou Ndiang1, Bruno Ngotta1, Ruth Ntone2, , Nestor Laurier Engone Obiang3, Ndongo Din1, Jules Richard Priso1, Joseph Boussim Issaka4 and Amougou Akoa5
1Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Po.Box.24157, The University of Douala, Cameroon.
2Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, Po.Box.24157, The University of Douala, Cameroon.
3Institute of Tropical Ecology Research (IRET), Po.Box.13354, Libreville, Gabon.
4Laboratory of Biology and Plant Ecology, The University of Ouagadougou 03 Po.Box.848, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
5Department of Biology and Plant Physiology, Po.Box.812, The University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
*1Corresponding author email: didierdibong@yahoo.fr
ABSTRACT
Objective: Studies were conducted to assess the response of five host species (Citrus maxima, Manilkara zapota, Persia americana, Psidium guajava and Theobroma cacao) of Phragmanthera capitata to sodium and potassium distribution in the plant organs.
Methods and results: After mineralization of plant organs of the parasite and the hosts, sodium (Na+) and Potassium (K+) concentrations were determined by Flame photometer on 30 samples belonging to five P. capitata/Host couples. The Na+ concentrations were higher in the leaves of the non parasitized host branches than the roots of the host, the suckers of the parasite, the leaves of the parasite and leaves of the distal sick boughs of the all host species. The results also showed a significant difference between the Na+ concentrations in the plant organs of parasite and the host. The K+ concentrations varied significantly in the plant organs of all the host species except for P.americana which had the lowest amount. The high concentration of K+ was observed in the leaves of the non parasitized host branches of C.maxima, M. zapota and P. guajava. P. capitata reduced Na+ concentrations in the aerial parts of host parasitized trees and maintained a low level of salt in the photosynthetic organs.
Conclusion and potential finding: Loranthaceae could contribute to decrease the content of salt on parasitized host boughs and then on branches carrying fruits.
Key words: host trees, salinity, Loranthaceae, ions partitioning.
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