​Control Activity and Antibiotic Gene Detection of Endophytic Bacteria in Suppressing Cocoa Black Pod Disease (Phytophthora palmivora Butl.)

Background: Black pod rot disease of cocoa caused by (Phytophthora palmivora Butl.) is one the major diseases on plantations worldwide. Many attempts have been made to prevent or reduce infection pathogens, but they not provided optimum results. This study aims detect antibiotic genes in endophytic bacteria that can suppress black disease. Methods: Eight were isolated from healthy pods and twigs showed potentials suppressing P. growth vitro used vivo tests. Antibiotic biosynthesis-related eight bacterial isolates confirmed using PCR method, which includes phenazine-1-carboxylic (PCA), pyrrolnitrin (PRN), phenazine-1-carboxamide acid (PCN), pyoluteorin (PLT) 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DPAG/Phl). Result: The bacteria, 4RSI, 5BR B3 2RW B2 highest index vivo, i.e., 70.27%, 70.08% 56.64%. DNA yielded product PCA primers (1400 bp), PRN (700 bp) DAPG (1600 while 5RSI isolate yield only. Endophytic 5BRB3 partial suppression inhibit pathogen compounds production.