With the aim of studying different substrates and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita in the growth of micropropagated banana plants it was conducted an experiment under greenhouse conditions at the CAMPO-CPA (micropropagating plant)/Embrapa-Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, in the city of Cruz das Almas, State of Bahia. Thirteen substrates were tested with and without inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, during the acclimatization phase. The plants were inoculated at the time of transplanting to the different substrates and were collected after the acclimatization period of 55 days, for evaluation of its growth, mineral nutrition and mycorrhizal colonization. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus G. margarita colonized well and increased the growth of the micropropagated banana plants, depending on the substrate used; the substrate Turfgrass + vermiculite + 5% manure promoted the formation of normal and healthy plants but only in the presence of the mycorrhizal fungus; the use of the commercial substrate Rendmax Citrus gave the best plant growth but inhibited mycorrhizal colonization and effects; addition of nutrients to Rendmax Citrus was not necessary for banana plantlets; vermicompost was a good substrate for banana plantlet associated with AM inoculation.
Musa spp.; mycorrhizae; manure; Caipira; nutrition; Gigaspora margarita; banana
