Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal isolates (Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus microcarpum) improve plant height and nutritional status of banana plants

Abstract

AbstractAn experiment was carried out to assess the benefits of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for banana plants cv. ‘Nendran’. The AMF species applied wereFunneliformis mosseaeandGlomus microcarpum, which were identified in a previous survey as the most common root associates ofMusaspp. in traditional monoculture banana fields. Spores of both the AMF species isolated from the natural banana fields were mono-cultured and used in the experiment, individually and in combination, at two inoculum spore levels (2500 or 5000 spores). We evaluated the root colonising potential of AMFs and their effects on plant height, chlorophyll content and leaf N, P and K concentrations at regular intervals up to 90 days after inoculation. All the inoculated plants showed more than 80% root colonisation. Increase in chlorophyll content in the leaves was found significant in all treatments, with the exception of the combination of 5000 spores ofF. mosseae and5000 spores ofG. microcarpumeach. Increases in leaf N, P and K were found in all the inoculated plants as compared to control (sterile soil without any AMF). While a significant reduction in soil available nitrogen and soil pH was observed in all treatments with inoculation, the soil available phosphorus and soil total organic carbon were increased by inoculation. Overall data revealed positive effects of AMF species in banana, especially during its early growth. As AMF species were isolated from fields differing in relation to banana variety and soil type and have positive effects in banana nutrition, an integrated soil fertility management using AMF appears promising.