Natural Ecosystem Surrounding a Conventional Banana Crop Improves Plant Health and Fruit Quality

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 9; p. 759
• Main Authors: Castelan, Florence P, Castro-Alves, Victor C, Saraiva, Lorenzo A, Nascimento, Talita P, Cálhau, Maria F N S, Dias, Carlos T S, Cordenunsi-Lysenko, Beatriz R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 07.06.2018
• Subjects: Atlantic forest; banana; biodiversity; carbohydrate; greenlife; plant growth regulators; Plant Science; postharvest; ripening; banana; Atlantic forest; greenlife; postharvest; biodiversity; plant growth regulators; ripening; carbohydrate
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00759

Natural ecosystems near agricultural landscapes may provide rich environments for growing crops. However, the effect of a natural ecosystem on crop health and fruit quality is poorly understood. In the present study, it was investigated whether the presence of a natural ecosystem surrounding a crop area influences banana plant health and fruit postharvest behavior. Plants from two conventional banana crop areas with identical planting time and cultural practices were used; the only difference between banana crop areas is that one area was surrounded by a natural forest (Atlantic forest) fragment (Near-NF), while the other area was inserted at the center of a conventional banana crop (Distant-NF). Results showed that bananas harvested from Near-NF showed higher greenlife and a more homogeneous profile during ripening compared to fruits harvested from Distant-NF. Differences in quality parameters including greenlife, carbohydrate profile, and pulp firmness between fruits harvested from Near-NF and Distant-NF are explained, at least partly, by differences in the balance of plant growth regulators (indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid) in bananas during ripening. Furthermore, plants from Near-NF showed a lower severity index of black leaf streak disease (BLSD) and higher levels of phenolic compounds in leaves compared to plants from Distant-NF. Together, the results provide additional evidence on how the maintenance of natural ecosystems near conventional crop areas could be a promising tool to improve plant health and fruit quality.