IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIAL ENDOPHYTES IN COTTON AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR PLANT PROTECTION: A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIAN IMPROVED COTTON VARIETIES

Abstract

Plant Pathogens cause severe economic losses to farmers worldwide. The control of plant diseases is based on frequent application of synthetic pesticides. The use of endophytes in the control of plant diseases creates opportunities for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. This study sought to identify bacterial endophytes present in the cotton varieties developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru Zaria. The root samples of 6improved cotton varieties (SAMCOTS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13) were screened for the presence of endophytic bacteria. The isolates were characterised by morphological and biochemical characteristics. Four genera were identified as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum. These four genera of endophytic bacteria were isolated from the root samples with each genus showing a different cell and colony morphology. The genus Pseudomonas was the most abundant amongst the isolates, while Azotobacter was the least abundant.