Actinobacteria

Abstract

Actinobacteria are filamentous bacteria belonging to the phylum Actinobacteria and order Actinomycetales. The majority of actinobacteria are Gram-positive and free-living saprophytes. Actinobacteria inhabit both terrestrial and aquatic habitats but form one of the major populations of soil, where they participate in the turnover of soil components into organic components by decomposition of a complex mixture of organic matter in dead plants, animals, and fungal material. They are regarded to be valuable bacteria because they are producers of secondary metabolites, which can be exploited for antibiotic production and disease suppression. Actinobacteria are also noteworthy because they promote plant growth by phytostimulation either by direct or indirect methods. This chapter focuses on the general isolation procedures; its characteristics, taxonomy, and its beneficial role in plant growth promotion (PGP); and its vital role as biocontrol agents.