Abstract

GONZALEZ, M  and  CUENCA, G. Response of plantain plants (Musa AAB cv. Horn) to inoculation with indigenous and introduced arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under field conditions. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2008, vol.25, n.3, pp.470-495. ISSN 0378-7818.

Many studies have shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) promote the development and production of plants with agronomic interest, because they improve the nutrient absorption, the soil structure, the water balance and protect their hosts against pathogenic organisms. In this work we evaluated the response of plantain plants (cv. Horn) in terms of growing, fruit production and P and N absorption to the inoculation with different AMF strains at field conditions. Therefore, a field experiment using a complete ramdom design was established. Plants were inoculated or not (control treatments) with two no native species Glomus manihotis (Gm) and Scutellospora heterogama (Sh); and two native isolates found in fields managed with low (LI) and high (HI) inputs. Plants belonging to LI and HI treatments did not show statistical differences among them because that LI has been under excessive fertilization. Introduced AMF strains were more efficient than native ones, especially Sh, which had the best responses in terms of plant growing and fruit production. These benefits can be explained by a higher N absorption, but not in terms of a higher P uptake and mycorrhizal colonization. The use of Sh as an alternative for increasing the Horn plantain yield is suggested, because it allows decrease the dependence of chemical fertilizing and its environmental impact.

Keywords : Musa AAB; plantain; fertilization; introduced arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi; native arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi.