Evaluation of two root bleaching techniques to determine mycorrhizal symbiosis in banana (Musa spp.)

Abstract

To identify symbiosis between roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (HMA), methodologies have been reported with variations in concentrations of reagents, temperature, and time of exposure for staining, which does not always adjust to the need for specific cultures due to variation in root structures. The objective of this research was to standardize a methodology to identify mycorrhizal colonization in banana crops in an efficient way. The research was carried out during the second semester of 2022 in the municipality of Apartadó-Antioquia. Four treatments were established that consisted of the evaluation with and without mycorrhizal inoculation with two bleaching techniques each (with and without subjection to Bain Marie). A total of 108 plates (54/technique) were evaluated, where percentage of colonization, visibility, vesicles and arbuscules were identified. There was a complete randomized design. Data were analyzed with R Studio 2022.02 software. An ANAVA and means separations were obtained with a post-hoc analysis of Tukey and Kruskal-Wallis with a confidence level of 95%. Symbiosis was found in all cases, statistical differences were identified in percentage of colonization with 46.8% to 90.2%; arbuscules from 12.1 to 338.0 units and a visibility percentage of 100% in treatments subjected to a Bain Marie, highlighting the need for subjecting banana roots to heat to favor discoloration, staining and visibility due to their architecture.

Keywords

• standardize methodology
• musaceae
• colonization percentage
• water bath
• clearing
• staining