Actinomycetes as Potential Plant Growth-Promoting Microbial Communities

Actinomycetes represent important microbial communities in the soils and inhabit very high proportion of soil microbial biomass that has the capacity to produce a wide range of high-value antibiotics, organic acids, phytohormones, extracellular enzymes, bioactive compounds, and secondary metabolites other than antimicrobials. Several strains of actinomycetes were found to promote plant growth directly and protect plants against phytopathogens and plant pests. The potential of this important microbial community for agricultural productivity is being greatly realized because they are a good source for agroactive compounds, plant growth-promoting substances, and biocontrol tools of the control of plant diseases. This chapter describes certain important aspects of actinomycetes in plant growth promotion and biological control.