Key Microorganism: Actinobacteria

Colony of Streptomyces sp. myrophorea growing on soyflour mannitol agar. CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73565336

Actinobaceteria are very thin filamentous bacteria once believed to be fungi. Many are facultative anaerobes meaning they can exist in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. They are capable of secreting antibiotics around their bodies, which is why they are utilized as a biocontrol to fight certain plant diseases.

Recommended levels

Though they can be beneficial to brassica crops, and include saprophytic and pathogenic species, having more than 16 micrograms per gram of soil is an indicator of anaerobic conditions.