Worldwide strains of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia are endophytic in banana roots and promote plant growth

The biocontrol fungus, Pochonia chlamydosporia, colonizes endophytically banana roots. Root hairs and root surface were found colonize by the fungus using a stable GFP transformant. Hyphal penetration of root cells was also observed. Spores of P. chlamydosporia 123, significantly increase root and leaf length and weight in banana plantlets (Musa acuminata cv. Dwarf Cavendish) in growth chamber experiments 30 days post-inoculation (dpi). In greenhouse 8L pot experiments, P. chlamydosporia 123 spore inoculation significantly increases leaf and root length and leaf weight in banana plants (75 dpi). Spore inoculation of P. chlamydosporia strains from worldwide origin (Pc21 Italy, Pc123 Spain, Pc399 China, and Pccat Cuba), significantly increases root, corm and leaf length and weight in banana plantlets. Pc21 was the best colonizer of banana roots. Consequently, this strain significantly increases most banana root and leaf length. Root colonization by P. chlamydosporia was also detected using cultural techniques and qPCR.