Characterization of endophytes endospore-forming bacteria from Theobroma cacao L. in Quinindé, Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Abstract

The aim of this work was to characterize cultural, morphological, physiological and molecular endospore forming endophytic bacteria associated with Theobroma cacao L. in Quinindé canton, Esmeraldas province, Ecuador. Isolation of bacteria was done from healthy pods and flower pedicels from cocoa Criollo Type Nacional cultivar. Bacteria isolates were characterized cultural, morphological, physiological and molecular. Identification of bacteria isolates were analyzed by 16S-ribosomal RNA gene pyrosequencing. Fourty-five endospore forming endophytic bacteria were recovered from healthy pods and flowers peduncules, mainly from endocarp. Based on their cultural, morphological and physiological characteristics they were similar to Bacillus. According to 16S rDNA sequence alignment isolates were classified like Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus cereus with 99 % sequence similarity. Some bacteria isolates did not produced optimal concensus sequences and were classified under the genus Bacillus.

Keywords

• bacillus
• biocontrol
• cocoa
• endocarp
• flower pedicel