VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 (January to June 2020)

by Abbeah Mae R. Navasca*¹, Joey I. Orajay², Nina M. Cadiz³, Marilyn B. Brown⁴, and Tiburcio T. Reyes⁵

¹Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO),
      Panabo City, Davao del Norte
²Del Monte Philippines, Inc. (DMPI), Camp Phillips,
      Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
³Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences,
      University of the Philippines Los Banos, Los Banos, Laguna
⁴National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
      University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna
⁵Institute of Weed Sciences, Entomology, and Plant Pathology,
      College of Food Science and Agriculture,
      University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna

This study was done to determine the interaction between different application rates of VAM and various nematode inoculation densities of Radopholus similis (Rs) on micropropagated Cavendish banana cv. Grand Naine. A 4x3 factorial analysis was first done to determine significant interactions of four levels of VAM rates (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 RR) and three nematode inoculation levels (0, 1000, 2000 Rs/pot) to aboveground growth parameters, root growth and quality, nematode parameters, and mycorrhizal colonization. Application of mycorrhiza was done at nursery stage where it was able to successfully colonize roots of Grand Naine plantlets prior to inoculation of pathogens. Significant interactions of VAM rates and nematode levels were noted for primary root weight and total root weight. Moreover, VAM at one and two times the recommended rate resulted to significantly lower nematode counts. This study demonstrated the bioprotection potential of mycorrhiza against Radopholus similis in Cavendish bananas.