Background and aims Nursery and field growth of micro-propagated banana plantlets is influenced by pests, nutrients and substrate quality. This study aims to evaluate the potential of locally produced microbial inoculant to reduce nematode and borer weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) pest effects on micro-propagated banana plantlets and stimulate growth. Methods The potential of locally produced microbial inoculant to reduce nematode and borer weevil pest effects on micro-propagated banana plantlets and stimulate growth was tested in nursery and field conditions. Plantlets were grown in polybags with three substrates (Soil + Coffee husk, Soil + Cocoa pod, and Soil + Empty palm fruit bunch) and two nutrient sources (chemical NPK fertilizer and microbial inoculant) relative to untreated control. Results Significant (P < 0.05) root necrosis occurred following nematode inoculation with/without borer weevil at planting or ten weeks after, with lower necrosis in pesticide and microbial inoculant than untreated control. Similarly, significant (P < 0.01) corm damage occurred following borer weevil inoculation with/without nematode at planting or ten weeks after, with lower corm damage in pesticide and microbial inoculant than untreated control. Although similar nursery growth of micro-propagated banana plantlets was observed across substrates, significant (P < 0.05) variation occurred between nutrient sources, with higher growth for NPK and microbial inoculant than untreated control. Similarly, field growth of banana plantlets was higher for NPK and microbial inoculant than untreated control (P < 0.05). Conclusion These findings open up avenues for further investigation on role of locally produced microbial inoculant as promising option to reduce effects of nematode and borer weevil pests on micro-propagated banana plantlets and stimulate growth.

Biopesticides are biological products or organisms which are potential candidates for eco-friendly pest management and crop protection over the chemical pesticides. The so-called biopesticides include viruses, bacteria, fungi, predators, parasites, and pheromones exhibiting a variety of modes of actions. They are less toxic, rapidly degradable, and more targeted to specific pests. However, it is noted that the formulation of biopesticides plays a crucial link between production and application, and the former dictates economy, longer shelf life, ease of application, and enhanced field efficacy. Moreover, there is an urgent need for organic farmers to gain more proficiency in using biopesticides. Even though biopesticides have more advantages, the main challenge is the marketing of biopesticides. Advances in biopesticide research and development significantly reduce the environmental damage caused by the residues of synthetic insecticides and support sustainable agriculture. Numerous products have been developed since the introduction of biopesticides, some of which have taken the lead in the agro-market after being registered and released. The types of biopesticides; their mode of action; formulation strategies; recent advancements of biopesticides focusing mainly on improvement of its action spectra, to thereby replace chemical pesticides; and finally, the future aspects of biopesticides have been discussed in this review.

Alternative farming systems have developed since the beginning of industrial agriculture. Organic, biodynamic, conservation farming, agroecology and permaculture, all share a grounding in ecological concepts and a belief that farmers should work with nature rather than damage it. As ecology-based agricultures rely greatly on soil organisms to perform the functions necessary for agricultural production, it is thus important to evaluate the performance of these systems through the lens of soil organisms, especially soil microbes. They provide numerous services to plants, including growth promotion, nutrient supply, tolerance to environmental stresses and protection against pathogens. An overwhelming majority of studies confirm that ecology-based agricultures are beneficial for soil microorganisms. However, three practices were identified as posing potential ecotoxicological risks: the recycling of organic waste products, plastic mulching, and pest and disease management with biopesticides. The first two because they can be a source of contaminants; the third because of potential impacts on non-target microorganisms. Consequently, developing strategies to allow a safe recycling of the increasingly growing organic matter stocks produced in cities and factories, and the assessment of the ecotoxicological impact of biopesticides on non-target soil microorganisms, represent two challenges that ecology-based agricultural systems will have to face in the future. Impact of ecology-based farming practices on soil microbial ecotoxicology.