1Department of Agricultural Science, Post Graduate Program of Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
2Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
3Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
4Department of Pest and Plant Disease, Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
*Corresponding Author: Rian Arini, Department of Agricultural Science, Post Graduate Program of Halu Oleo University, KendariSoutheast Sulawesi, Indonesia, Email: rian.arini08@gmail.com
Online published on 26 February, 2025.
Black pod rot disease of cocoa caused by (Phytophthora palmivora Butl.) is one of the major diseases on cocoa plantations worldwide. Many attempts have been made to prevent or reduce the infection of pathogens, but they have not provided optimum results. This study aims to detect antibiotic genes in endophytic bacteria that can suppress cocoa black pod disease.
Eight endophytic bacteria were isolated from healthy cocoa pods and twigs that showed potentials in suppressing P. palmivora growth in vitro were used in suppressing of black pod rot disease in vivo tests. Antibiotic biosynthesis-related genes from eight endophytic bacterial isolates were confirmed by using PCR method, which includes phenazine-1-carboxylic (PCA), pyrrolnitrin (PRN), phenazine-1-carboxamide acid (PCN), pyoluteorin (PLT) and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DPAG/Phl).
The endophytic bacteria, 4RSI, 5BR B3 and 2RW B2 isolates showed the highest disease suppressing index to black pod rot disease in vivo, i.e., 70.27%, 70.08% and 56.64%. The isolates 5BR B3 and 2RW B2 DNA yielded PCR product by using PCA primers (1400 bp), PRN primers (700 bp) and DAPG primers (1600 bp), while the 5RSI isolate yield PCR product using PRN primers only. Endophytic bacterial isolates 5BRB3 and 2RW B2 provided partial disease suppression to pod rot disease by inhibit pathogen growth and antibiotic compounds production.
Antibiotic genes, Black pod disease, Cocoa, Endophytic bacteria