THE INTEGRATION OF AMF INOCULANTS, GREEN MANURE AND ORGANO-MINERAL FERTILIZATION, IN BANANA PLANTATIONS ON CALCIC HAPLIC PHAEOZEMS

Abstract

Background. Banana plants require large amounts of nutrients but fertilizer price is restrictive for many farmers, so it is important to develop technologies that support the productivity of banana crops relying on local nutrient sources by enhancing soil biological activity. Objective. To evaluate the feasibility of integrating the management of mycorrhizal inoculants, green manure and organo-mineral fertilization in banana. Methodology. Different treatments with compost and sugar cane straw ash as organo-mineral fertilizers, jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) as preceding and intercropped green manure, and inoculation with Rhizoglomus irregulare (INCAM-11), were evaluated in banana cv. 'FHIA-18'. The experiment was planted on Calcic Haplic Phaeozems and conducted during the cycles of planting, first ratoon, and second ratoon. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Results. Inoculation at transplanting with R. irregulare (INCAM-11) remained effective during the three production cycles evaluated. The mycorrhizal inoculation of C. ensiformis not only increased the biomass and the quantity of recycled nutrients, but also resulted in the production of high quantities of mycorrhizal propagules in the soil. Implications. The feasibility of integrating the management of efficient arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) strain, green manure and low rates of mineral-organic fertilizers to obtain high banana yields, an adequate plant nutritional status and a satisfactory mycorrhizal functioning was shown. Conclusion. The integration of efficient AMF strains and green manure increased the benefits of both practices and it is a promising way of managing the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in sustainable crop production.at transplanting with R. irregulare (INCAM-11) remained effective during the three production cycles evaluated. The mycorrhizal inoculation of C. ensiformis not only increased the biomass and the quantity of recycled nutrients, but also resulted in the production of high quantities of mycorrhizal propagules in the soil. Implications. The feasibility ofintegrating the management of efficient arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) strain, green manure and low rates of mineral-organic fertilizers to obtain high banana yields, an adequate plant nutritional status and a satisfactorymycorrhizal functioning was shown. Conclusion. The integration of efficient AMF strains and green manure increased the benefits of both practices and it is a promising way of managing the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in sustainable crop production.