Weed-Associated Fungal Endophytes as Biocontrol Agents of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4 in Cavendish Banana

The antagonistic activity of fungal endophytes isolated from weeds growing in Cavendish banana farms was determined against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR4 (Foc TR4) causing Fusarium wilt of Cavendish banana. Forty-nine out of the total 357 fungal endophytes from the roots of weeds exhibited antagonistic activity against Foc TR4. High inhibitory activity at 79.61–99.31% based on dual culture assay was recorded in endophytes Lasiodiplodia theobromae TDC029, Trichoderma asperellum TDC075, Ceratobasidium sp. TDC037, Ceratobasidium sp. TDC241, and Ceratobasidium sp. TDC474. All five endophytes were identified through DNA sequencing with 86–100% identity. Endophyte-treated Grand Naine and GCTCV 218 plantlets showed significantly lower disease incidence (p = 0.014), significantly lower degree of leaf yellowing (p = 0.037) and rhizome discoloration (p = 0.003). In addition, the cultivar Grand Naine was consistently highly susceptible compared with the tolerant cultivar GCTCV 218.