Effect of some combination of phytohormones on some growth parameters and vitamin c, carbohydarate, protein and chlorophyll contents of <i>Spondias mombin</i> (<i>Linn.</i>) seedlings

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the responses of Spondias mombin(Linn.) seedlings to combined phytohormonal treatments. The plant vegetable parameters, mineral constituents, water status, vitamin C
,chlorophyll and biochemical contents of S.mombin were determined using standard methods. The combined hormonal treatments used for this experiment comprised of 100mg/L GA₃ + 15% coconut water, 100mg/L
GA₃ + 50 mg/L NAA, 50mg/L NAA + 15% coconut water and 50mg/L ABA + 100mg/L Quinine. A total of five foliar applications were made at four weeks intervals commencing from four weeks after planting. The control seedlings were sprayed with distilled water. 100 mg/L GA₃ + 15% coconut water was significantly different from the control at 22 weeks after planting with the highest values of plant height (75.60 cm), number of leaves (73.00), shoot-root ratio (5.56), leaf relative water (70.60), vitamin c (37.64 mg/100 g), carbohydrate (13.87%) and Chlorophyll content (2.00 mg/g) while both 100mg/L GA₃ + 15% coconut water and 50mg/L NAA + 15% coconut water recorded protein content of 6.56%. Also 100 mg/L GA₃ + 50 mg/L NAA elicited highest value of stem circumference (2.05 cm). Sodium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus levels were highest in the  leaves of S. mombin seedlings treated with 100 mg/L GA₃ + 15% coconut water whereas magnesium level was greater in 100 mg/L GA₃ + 50 mg/L NAA. The study revealed that 100mg/L GA₃ + 15% coconut water has the potential to increase growth and nutritional value of S. mombin(Linn.) so that S. mombin leaves can be potential source of highly nutritious feed stuff and phytomedicine.

Keywords: Spondias mombin, seedling, phytohormone.