Growth, late blight and yield response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation in West region of Cameroon

The crop protection system in Cameroon is mainly based on the use of chemical pesticides which can lead to human and environmental health problems. Biological control is a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative control method that could be used to boost the production of quality potatoes. This study aims to test a biological control approach for potato growth, late blight, and yield using arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) inoculants. To achieve this, a split-plot experimental design consisting of two factors: potato varieties (Pamela and Cipira) and AMF dose (0 g, 20 g, and 40 g per plant) was used. Results showed that the interaction between variety and AMF doses was significant for growth variables for the treatment Cipira × 20 g AMF/plant showing the highest plant height (48.0 cm) at the 4^th week after sowing (WAS). In addition, the combination of variety and AMF doses significantly reduced late blight incidence and severity, with the best result exhibited by Pamela variety × 40 g AMF/plant (53% and 10%, respectively). The treatments also showed a significant effect on root colonization, with Pamela × 40 g AMF/plant exhibiting the highest arbuscular content in the root system (93%). In terms of yield, the interaction between variety and AMF doses had a significant effect on tuber yields, with a yield of 50 and 55 t/ha recorded for Pamela at 20 g of AMF/plant and 40 g of AMF/plant, respectively. These results show that farm management practices based on AMF inoculations could efficiently increase potato productivity in the Western Highlands of Cameroon.