The Consortium applied fungi, bacteria and EPN lines to manage banana threats in three world regions, testing most promising strains in lab and greenhouse. Procedures were set up for large scale production of EBCAs and EPN, and bioformulations. Data on plants response to EBCAs were produced, testing exploitation in IPM or bio-management. EBCAs include Trichoderma spp. acting as plant growth promoters or active vs the PPN Radopholus similis; Pochonia chlamydosporia, a plant growth promoter (PGP) antagonistic of PPN and FW, and bacteria (Bacillus, Streptomyces, Pseudomonas spp.) tested vs FW or PPN. Root endophytism of P. chlamydosporia was demonstrated in in-vitro and controlled conditions. SUitable EPN and fungi were identified for BW biocontrol. In vitro and lab assays were carried out on isolates biology, including DNA sequencing for identification. Sampling studies on banana corm and rhizosphere microbial diversity were carried out in Tenerife (Spain) and Costa Rica farms, and in germplasm fields of IITA, in Uganda. An effective Beauveria bassiana isolate was produced in SSA, and is now in use. A non-pathogenic F. oxysporum endophyte (V5W2) isolated by IITA effectively controlled nematodes, with a PGP effect. Further studies showed links of plant health with soil and corm microbial communities, identifying factors sustaining management in conjunction to climate and other crop traits. Data were produced on root gene expression during parasitism by Pratylenchus goodeyi and TR4. Data on gene expression of banana roots were produced in tri-trophic interactions with P. chlamydosporia and pests, and a microbial community including Trichoderma and Streptomyces spp. showed growth promotion or plant defense elicitors. Antagonism vs PPN was discovered for T. asperellum isolates and some natural products (i.e. xanthine). Chitosan, a natural defense elicitor, did not affect banana at doses inhibitory for fungal pathogens. Dissemination and Communication events were carried out. Two Project meetings were organized by IITA at Kampala (Uganda) and EARTH (Costa Rica), followed by a stakeholders workshop. The Second and Third Meeting were organized in Cuba and Kenya, respectively. The Second international conference with stakeholders was organized on line (May 2020). The interactions among plant-pests and EBCAs or PGP were investigated, uploading genomic, metagenomic and transcriptomic raw sequence data, on FAIR public repositories. More than 12 microbial isolates or populations were finally selected for exploitation in the different regions, some of which are commercialized by Project stakeholders. The species mostly used were T. asperellum and P. chlamydosporia, with Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. Modelling banana production and FW impact was performed, to assess impact of climate change on production prices, simulating mechanisms of transmission to retail prices. Modelling showed infrastructures facilitating FW spread such as irrigation canals or roads. More than 45 OA scientific articles were produced, with others in press, and dissemination papers. Links and scientific initiatives continued after the Project termination, among and beyond the Consortium, connecting researchers and stakeholders in an international network. Activities include new research collaborations, production of scientific articles, proposals for new projects, initiatives with stakeholders to promote results for pest management, bioformulations and commercialization of EBCAs as sustainable tools in plant protection, worldwide.
