GROWTH-RESPONSE OF BANANA TO 3 MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN PRATYLENCHUS-GOODEYI INFESTED SOIL

The effects of the interaction between three arbuscular mycorrhizal (A M) fungi and the lesion nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi on the growth of banana were studied under greenhouse conditions in the Canary Islands . Banana cv 'Grand Naine' inoculated with Glomus mosseae and G. agrega tum showed significantly increased plant development for most growth p arameters in P. goodeyi infested soil 10 months after inoculation with the AM fungi and 8 months after nematode exposure. Nitrogen levels in mycorrhizal plants were significantly higher in P. goodeyi infested s oils. Early mycorrhizal inoculation appears to increase host tolerance by enhancing plant nutrition and by reducing the nematode induced les ions in the roots.