Effects of Mycorrhizal Inoculant and Organic Mulches on Nematode Damage to Cooking Banana

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria to investigate the ability of mycorrhizal fungi, oil palm bunch refuse and sawdust mulches to modulate banana growth and nematode infection. Twenty four suckers of cooking banana cultivar ‘Fougamo’ used for the experiment were collected within the Federal University of Technology, Akure campus. Vegetative growth parameters were measured at termination of experiment while root and rhizome damage was assessed. The mycorrhizal inoculants and the two organic mulches enhanced aerial and subterranean growth. Sawdust mulch increased area of youngest leaf opened by 215%, mycorrhizal fungi by 234% and oilpalm bunch refuse much by 267% respectively.  Feeding habit of the three plant parasitic nematode species recovered from the cultivar: Pratylenchus coffeae, Radopholus similis and Helicotylenchus multicinctus was influenced by the type of organic input. Mycorrhizal inoculants supported more vigorous plants and prevented root invasion by P. coffeae and R. similis.  Its use may be a promising alternative to the more bulky organic material or an important aspect in developing an integrated management package.

Keywords: Organic mulch, mycorrhizal fungi, banana, plant growth, root health, plant parasitic nematodes