Evaluation of antagonistic activities and plant growth promoting traits of actinobacteria isolated from cocoyam (xanthosoma sagittifolium) rhizosphere around Mount Cameroon

Abstract

In Cameroon, the major limits of growth and productivity of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is root rot disease caused by Pythium myriotylum (1). Excessive use of chemical fungicides to fight this disease presents negative effects. The development of alternative methods using antagonistic microorganisms are urgently needed. This investigation focused on actinobacteria well known to play an important role in the plant growth promotion (PGP), plant protection and produce secondary metabolites (2). This study evaluated ability of actinobacteria from cocoyam rhizosphere soils to inhibit P. myriotylum, other phytopathogens and / or promote plant growth.