Acclimatization and growth of tissue cultured banana co-inoculated with microbiological and chemical commercial products in different soils in Kenya

The efficacy of co-inoculation of microbiological products and combining them with a chemical stimulant in enhancing survival and growth of tissue culture banana under different soil conditions was investigated in the greenhouse. Tissue cultured banana (Gros Mitchel cv.) was inoculated with products containing Bacillus spp., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Trichoderma harzianum, Myconate (chemical stimulant) and their combinations. Two soil types (Rhodic Ferralsol and Vertisol) were used at the hardening and potting phases and inoculation of plants was done at both phases. Plant growth was assessed at an interval of two weeks. Destructive harvesting was done and mycorrhizal colonization, root and shoot biomass and shoot nutrient uptake were assessed at the end of nursery phase. The effect of the products on the measured parameters depended on soil type with Vertisol being most receptive to inoculation. The combination of Bacillus spp. with AMF or Myconate or T. harzianum in the Vertisol gave the most significant increase in plant growth by over 28, 24 and 14%, respectively and in plant biomass accumulation by over 34, 46 and 33%, respectively compared to the control. Mycorrhizal colonization was not significantly affected by product inoculation in the two soils. In the Rhodic Ferralsol, the combination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with T. harzianum promoted the highest uptake of zinc, boron, magnesium and phosphorus; T. harzianum+ Bacillus spp. promoted the highest uptake of potassium, while AMF+ Myconate promoted the highest uptake of calcium. In the Vertisol, the combination of Bacillus spp. with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi gave the highest uptake of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and boron; Bacillus spp.+ Myconate gave the highest uptake of potassium, while singly applied AMF gave the highest uptake of zinc. Results demonstrate that tissue cultured bananas’ survival and growth can benefit from co-inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma or Bacillus or a chemical stimulant during the nursery phase. The effect of coinoculation is however depended on soil type.