Indigenous actinomycetes from empty fruit bunch compost of oil palm: Evaluation on enzymatic and antagonistic properties

Three actinomycetes isolates were isolated from empty fruit bunch (EFB) compost of oil palm. They were identified as Nocardiopsis sp. (ac9), Streptomyces violaceorubidus (6ca11) and Streptomyces sp. (ac19). The enzymatic potential of the three isolates were established from assays on hydrolytic and lignolytic activities. The production of amylases, cellulases and xylanases were higher in isolates Nocardiopsis sp. (ac9) and S. violaceorubidus (6ca11), at both mesophilic (40±2 °C) and thermophilic (60±2 °C) temperatures. On the contrary, lignolytic activities were higher at mesophilic temperature. Streptomyces sp. (ac19) showed higher lignolytic activities at both temperatures compared to the other two isolates. These three isolates were also antagonistic towards the pathogenic Ganoderma boninense. Nocardiopsis sp. (ac9) was superior with 91.4% inhibition. From this study, it is established that indigenous actinomycetes isolates have both enzymatic and antagonistic potential for use in composting and Ganoderma control, respectively. We recommend the application of actinomycetes into the compost heap during mesophilic stages to allow progressive composting and for compost to be enriched with actinomycetes.