Biohardening with endomicrobiome – A novel approach to develop Fusarium wilt resistance in banana (Musa spp.)

Fusarium wilt of banana (Musa spp.) primarily caused by a soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), presents a significant threat to the banana industry worldwide. To propagate bananas efficiently, tissue culture techniques are commonly employed, to yield quality planting material with desirable traits and devoid of harmful microorganisms. However, the tissue cultured plantlets may be more susceptible to Fusarium wilt than traditional planting material due to the lack of indigenous beneficial endophytes. Endophytes are microorganisms that colonize internal tissues without causing pathogenicity and have been found to occur in all plant species. They form symbiotic relationships with host plants, enhancing their performance. Endophytes also promote plant growth due to the production of secondary metabolites like auxin and gibberellins. Additionally, some compounds act as antibiotic and antifungal thus inhibiting pathogen invasion and its growth. Since the applied endomicrobiome occupies the niche areas of Foc pathogen in the banana corm, thus these microbes not only avoid the entry of Foc but also promote the plant's growth and development due to the production of secondary metabolites. This is a promising biological solution for sustainable banana cultivation in the era of "climate change and chemical free farming".