Responses of MYCOVAM® treated Lakatan banana plantlets to water deficit

Issue Date

8-2018

Abstract

Lakatan banana (AA) is an economically important fruit crop in the Philippines and is one of the few fruits available year-round. Lakatan cv. compared with other local varities has smaller root system and is known to be highly susceptible to water stress and most banana diseases. Previous study have shown that MYCOVAM® (containing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) inoculation of tissue-cultured banana at potting out and at 3-4 leaf stage enhanced root-VAM association. This pot experiment determined the shoot and root responses of banana with and without MYCOVAM® inoculation under water deficit condition. The treatments were: Well-watered with MYCOVAM®(T1), Well-watered (T2), Water deficit with MYCOVAM®(T3), and Water deficit (T4). Starting at field capacity, water was withheld until tensiometer reading reached 80 KPa. Water deficit was imposed for 14 d followed by a recovery period. Water deficit, regardless of MYCOVAM® treatment, significantly reduced the shoot (number of green leaves and pseudostem girth) and root growth (root volume, root length and number of root tips) and the relative water content of the youngest green leaf. In water deficit treatment, MYCOVAM® inoculated plantlets, upon watering after the imposition of water deficit, exhibited faster recovery and showed a significantly better growth (shoot and root) and higher relative water content compared to uninoculated plantlets. In well-watered treatment, MYCOVAM® treated plants had significantly better root growth and consistent shoot growth and relative water content compared to uninoculated plantlets. This study validated that MYCOVAM® inoculation improved the tolerance of the Lakatan banana plantlets to water deficit. Field studies are recommended to confirm the findings.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

43

Issue

2

Page

56-62

Document Type

Article

Frequency

tri-quarterly

Physical Description

tables, graph

Language

English

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