Effect of Trichoderma-based microbial bioinputs on growth and seedling quality of banana under nursery conditions

Abstract

Background: The nursery stage is critical for producing vigorous banana seedlings before field establishment. However, micropropagated seedlings may show limited early growth during ex vitro acclimatization, making the use of microbial biostimulants a relevant strategy to improve seedling quality. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Trichoderma spp.-based bioproducts on the growth, biomass accumulation, physiological status, and quality indices of banana seedlings under nursery conditions. Methodology: Five treatments were evaluated: BIO-TRICH, Trichoplus, Tricomix, YaraMila™ INTEGRADOR™, and an untreated control. At 70 days after transplanting, morphological traits, fresh and dry biomass by organ, SPAD chlorophyll index, tissue water content, root traits, and derived quality indices were determined. Results: The Trichoderma spp.-based treatments significantly increased absolute growth rate, plant height, pseudostem diameter, total leaf area, total fresh biomass, total dry biomass, and SPAD index compared with the untreated control, with increases of 172.9%–186.5%, 99.9%–107.7%, 65.0%–68.6%, 448.8%–481.8%, 206.6%–256.8%, 166.1%–235.0%, and 45.0%–51.0%, respectively. Tricomix showed the most consistent response, with the highest total dry biomass and Dickson quality index. Tissue water content, total root length, specific root length, and specific leaf area did not differ significantly among treatments. Implications: These findings suggest that Trichoderma spp.-based bioproducts can strengthen nursery management by improving morphophysiological seedling quality; however, field validation is required to confirm whether these nursery improvements translate into better establishment and productivity. Conclusions: Trichoderma spp.-based bioproducts, particularly Tricomix, improved the morphophysiological quality of banana seedlings under nursery conditions.