Endophytic Non-Pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum-Derived Dual Benefit for Nematode Management and Improved Banana (Musa spp.) Productivity

The banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) and the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis represent two of most important pests bananas. Previously, colonization plants by non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum (isolate V5w2) entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana WA) have been shown to increase host resistance various diseases. However, there is limited data on how combined inoculation these isolates would affect field performance In this study, fungal endophytes were inoculated separately in combination. Tissue cultured plantlets cooking cultivar Mbwazirume dessert Grande Naine root drenching with a suspension 1.0 × 107 spores mL−1 three occasions, separated 4 weeks apart, before transplanting into field. Each plantlet was further 1800 nematodes, composed primarily R. similis. Inoculation significantly reduced densities >34%. Similarly, plant toppling lower endophyte-enhanced (<16.5%) compared control (23.3%). We also observed improved yield first crop cycle plants, which yielded >11 t ha−1 year−1 versus 9 achieved non-inoculated plants. These findings demonstrate benefits improving both bananas via suppression nematode-related damage.