MICROPROPAGATED BANANA INFECTED WITH MELOIDOGYNE-JAVANICA RESPONDS TOGLOMUS INTRARADICES AND PHOSPHORUS

The effects of the interaction between the vesicular-arbuscular mycorr hizal fungus Glomus intraradices Schenk and Smith and the root-knot ne matode Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood on growth and nutrition o f micropropagated 'Grand Naine' banana (Musa AAA) were studied under g reenhouse conditions. Inoculation with G. intraradices significantly i ncreased growth of plants in relation to nonmycorrhizal plants and was more effective than P fertilization in promoting plant development. M ycorrhizal colonization did not affect nematode buildup in the roots, although plants with the nematode and mycorrhiza were more galled. Mel oidogyne javanica had no effect on the percentage of root colonization in mycorrhiza-inoculated plants. No element deficiency was detected b y foliar analysis. All elements were within sufficiency levels for ban ana with exception of N, which was low. Potassium levels were lower in mycorrhizal plants, while Ca and Mg levels were higher with mycorrhiz a than without, with or without the nematode. Early inoculation with G . intraradices appears to favor growth of banana plants by enhancing p lant nutrition.