Isolation of endophytic actinomycetes from roots and leaves of banana (Musa acuminata) plants and their activities against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense

Two hundred and forty-two actinomycete strains were isolated from the interior of leaves and roots of healthy and wilting banana plants. Most of them were streptomycetes, Streptomyces griseorubiginosus-like strains were the most frequently isolated strains. Community analysis demonstrated increased actinomycete diversity in wilting leaves compared to that in healthy leaves, similar actinomycete communities were found in wilting and healthy roots. Screening of the isolates for antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense revealed that the proportion of antagonistic streptomycetes in healthy roots was higher than that in wilting roots (P < 0.01), but no difference was found between antagonistic strains isolated from healthy and wilting leaves. The potential biological control of Panama disease of banana by endophytic streptomycetes, especially Streptomyces griseorubiginosus-like strains was discussed.