Suppression of Banana Fusarium Wilt Induced by Soil Microbiome Reconstruction Through Green Manure Intercropping

Abstract

Fusarium wilt of banana, also known as Panama disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is one of the most destructive diseases and currently threatens banana production around the world. In this study, pot and field experiments were conducted to assess the control effect of banana intercropping with five intercropping green manures (crotalaria, sesban, melilotus officinalis, vicia villosa and trefoil) on banana Panama disease in high disease incidence soil. Soil microbiota was analysed using the MiSeq Illumina sequencing platform. The results showed that compared with banana monoculture, five intercropping treatments significantly reduced the incidence of banana Fusarium wilt and decreased the richness and diversity of soil fungi, vicia villosa and trefoil intercropping treatment showed greater effect in disease suppression than the other treatments. The abundance of Aspergillus was increased, while the abundance of Fusarium was decreased in all five intercropping treatments compared with the banana monoculture treatment. A structural equation model showed that the changes in soil organic matter and NH4 +-N content caused by intercropping may play a key role in the change of the soil fungal community and the reduction of banana Fusarium wilt incidence. In summary, the reduction in the incidence of banana Panama disease caused by banana intercropping with green manures can be attributed to the decrease in harmful microorganisms such as Fusarium and the increase in beneficial microorganisms such as Aspergillus, which may establish a beneficial soil microbial community.