inkcube

from the studies i have seen there is no definitive proof that plants with the fungi grow better than those without - don't get me wrong i am not knocking it, in fact i published a paper many years ago about the benefits of fungi introduced through compost - helped fight downy/powdery mildew & blackspot in roses. many studies done with orchids have shown there is no benefit from the fungi and no harm either. also with the studies i have seen using some trees species, Quercus & Pinus, show that the fungi needs to be re-applied (as you stated) and that some plants will be resistant to being re-infected. i have seen nothing on the fungi/banana studies. i also haven't seen anything on whether it is cost effective.

i had a colleague that swore by the benefits of ecto- and endomycorrhiza but his landscape was never any better than his neighbors.