Evaluation of Chlorophyll Contents of Wild Type and a ‘Variant’ Telfairia occidentalis (Hooker Fil.) and Soil Properties of Their Locations on a Farm at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To measure the chlorophyll contents of wild type and ‘variant’ Telfairia occidentalis and determine the soil properties of their locations on a farm at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Study Design: Soil and leaves were randomly sampled at three locations; IKI, IKII and IKIII. Methodology: Leaves were randomly sampled at three locations; IKI, IKII and IKIII for determination of chlorophyll a, b and a+b contents of the wild type and ‘variant’. Chlorophyll contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Soil samples were also collected at two depths 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm at the root base of the plants to make a composite from the three locations in four replicates each. The soil samples were air dried and passed through a 2 mm sieve before analysis for the various nutrients. Particle size was determined by hydrometer method. Organic C, P, soil pH, total N, exchangeable bases, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), K, Na, Ca and Mg were determined. Results: Results of t-test for paired comparison of leaf chlorophyll contents showed a highly significant (P<0.025) difference between the wild type and ‘variant’. Mean values for chlorophyll a for the wild type ranged from 66.08±1.16 to 79.35±1.02 mg/g FW for the three locations, while the ‘variant ‘ had a ranged in values from 19.28 ± 0.02 to 32.40 ± 1.45 mg/g FW. Chlorophyll b for wild type ranged from 73.46 ± 2.16 to 87.76 ±1.28 mg/g FW compared to mean values for ‘variant’ which ranged from 22.91 ± 0.18 to 42.03 ± 1.50 mg/g FW. Mean values for a+b for the wild type ranged from 140.26 ± 2.12 to 167.11±1.34 mg/g FW, while the ‘variant’ had a ranged in values from 42.25±0.35 to 74.43±1.44 mg/g FW. Results of soil analysis revealed low values for Ca, Mg, K and N of 1.2-4.0, 0.4-1.8, 0.08-0.11 cmol/kg and 0.08-0.15% respectively. Conclusion: The low values of the major mineral nutrients; N, Ca, Mg and K suggest that the chlorosis of the leaves of the ‘variant’ T. occidentalis may be attributed to mineral nutrients deficiencies. However, viral infection can also cause chlorosis. Whether there was any underlying genetic causes could not be established.