Publication Date

12-2011

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Linda Gonzales (Director), Dr. Todd Willian, Dr. Shivendra Sahi

Degree Program

Department of Agriculture

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Apios priceana is a native endangered species plant found in the Southeast United States. It is characterized as a leguminous species that bears wisteria like clusters with pea like flowers, a large tuberous root and four to six inch long seed pods. It is believed the Native Americans and early European settlers relied on this species as a source of protein and utilized the seeds for cultivation of the tuberous “potato” which formed. Apios priceana contains an average of 13% fiber, 6.9% protein, 71% carbohydrate and 9 of the 11 essential amino acids needed in human diets (Walter et al.,1986). In addition, A. priceanatuberous roots contain anti-carcinogenic properties known to be used to treat prostate and breast cancer as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol with an added use for diabetes. If removed from the endangered species list it could prove to be a valuable agronomic crop. Its use spans human and animal consumption, bio fuel, medicinal and horticultural purposes. This research was initiated to investigate a biological symbiosis between A. priceana and known beneficial soil bacteria which may indicate growth potential of known colonies. Experimental treatments were 1) no inoculation 2) Azospirillum brasilense inoculate 3) Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculate and 4) Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae inoculate. Specimens were evaluated at 30, 60 and 90 day’s growth from emergence for taproot length, number of lateral roots and taproot girth. Due to non-germination of seeds, data presented is for treatments 2 and 3. The correlation coefficient for average taproot length, number of lateral roots developed and taproot girth per treatment was as follows: taproot length to number of lateral roots, positive correlation coefficient 0.996; taproot length to taproot girth, positive correlation coefficient 0.999; and number of lateral roots to taproot girth, positive correlation coefficient 0.991. All correlation coefficients are significant at the 0.01 level.

Disciplines

Agricultural Science | Agriculture | Botany | Plant Pathology

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