Stress Alleviation Property of Two Fungi Isolates Applied as Soil Inoculants in the Growth of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. in Arsenic ion (As3+) Treated Soils

This study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effect of selected fungi (Aspergillus sp, and Penicillium chrysogenum) on arsenic-treated (As3+) soils used for the cultivation of Abelmoschus esculentus. Stress alleviation property of the fungi spp was done in soils contaminated with different concentrations of As3+ solution, and inoculation of fungi was done two weeks after planting. Vegetative parameters (number of leaves, branches, plant height, and girth circumference) and biochemical parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and chlorophyll a and b) were also assayed for. This study was conducted for 5-6 weeks. The highest mean values of mycelial extensions were observed in Aspergillus sp 4 days after media inoculation at 0 ppm. The plant with the highest height was observed in okra that was inoculated with P. chrysogenum at 30 ppm. SOD and CAT analysis revealed that the highest percentage inhibition was recorded at 150 ppm and 100 ppm in P. chrysogenum inoculated soil respectively. Findings from this study revealed that these fungi exhibited an ameliorative effect on the growth of Abelmoschus esculentus in different concentrations of arsenic-contaminated soil samples and thus suggest their application in heavy metal soils stress environments.