Micronutrient Composition of Soils and Supported Solanum scabrum in Bafut Sub-division (North-West Cameroon)

Abstract

Soil-plant metal interaction is vital in plant metabolism and on effects related to deficiency and toxicity, yet has received very little attention in terms of research in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the composition of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in soils and grown huckleberry (Solanum scabrum) in Bafut Sub-division (North-West Cameroon). Soils and huckleberry samples were collected in North and South Bafut in the rainy and dry seasons. The micronutrient levels in Solanum scabrum and soils were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The results revealed that the metal levels of the soils were within the permissible range for agricultural soils. In the vegetables, only Fe and Mn, the most represented metals, were within the adequate and normal levels for optimum plant growth and human consumption, while Cu and Zn contents suggested a dietary intake deficiency for the inhabitants of the study area. The soil-metal transfer factors were globally less than 1 (0.03 to 0.95), lowest for Cu and highest for Fe. Between sites, Fe contents were fairly higher in South Bafut soils, while Zn, Mn and Cu were higher in North Bafut soils. These differences could be explained by the variation in the nature of parent rock in both localities and the slightly acidic soil pH which influences the solubility, mobility and bioavailability of soil nutrients. Between seasons, there was no significant difference (P<.05) between metal concentrations of soils and Solanum scabrum, except for Cu in the dry season vegetables. The present work suggests that S. scabrumcould serve as a cheaper source of micronutrients especially Fe and Mn for the local inhabitants of Bafut and beyond.