Growth analysis of jack bean inoculated with Acaulospora sp. in nickel-contaminated soil

Abstract

Growth analysis is a method to determine the response of plant phenotype to the environmental factors affecting the plant growth. The aim of this research was to analyze the growth of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) inoculated with Acaulospora sp. in nickel-contaminated soil. The study was conducted in the Nursery area of Vale Indonesia Corporate, Sorowako, with three treatments of Acaulospora sp. isolated from different environments, namely indigenous Acaulospora sp., exotic Acaulospora sp. and without Acaulospora sp. Results showed that jackbean inoculated with indigenous Acaulospora sp. had value of average leaf area, leaf area index, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate are higher than those jackbean inoculated with exotic Acaulospora sp. and without Acaulospora sp. The higher tolerance to environmental conditions with extreme nickel metal concentrations indicates potential of indigenous mycorrhiza that can be used as biological filter agent to promote plant growth.