Beneficial endophytes may enhance plant growth and stress tolerance. Yet, the plant health benefits of endophytes can be altered by biotic and abiotic factors and, thus, favour the inhibition of turmeric growth and curcumin production. The double petri dish method and greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to assess the biocontrol potential and impact of endophytes on the output, curcumin levels, and antioxidant activities of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). The results showed that endophytes could control some disease‐causing plant pathogens: 52% of all isolates have an antagonistic action against Fusarium oxysporum, 43% against Pythium myriotylum, 35% against Phytophthora megakarya, and 56% against Ralstonia solanacearum in vitro. Eight months after sowing, most endophyte isolates can increase the yield of turmeric rhizomes on a sterile substrate after inoculation, with yields ranging from 42 to 105% higher than the control and 3 to 50% higher than the urea treatment. In addition, 52% endophytes isolate significantly raised curcumin levels after 8 months of culture (from 2.1 to 3.1%) compared to control (1.7%) and urea treatment (1.8%). These endophytes promote an increase in the levels of reduced glutathione (22%), total thiols (26%), and carotenoids (91%) in turmeric. The study concludes that, in general, the endophytes‐turmeric association can stimulate turmeric rhizome production, curcumin, and the antioxidant activities of the plant. They can also be used as biocontrol agents for plant pathogens.

This study centred on isolating and characterizing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains derived from wastewater sludge to assess their potential for sludge treatment. Samples were collected from the Etoa wastewater sludge treatment plant in Yaounde, Cameroon. The isolates were obtained on nutrient agar medium and were identified through morphological and biochemical characterization, followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The sequences showed 99–100% similarity with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains in the NCBI database. The isolates exhibited significant in vitro enzymatic activities, including catalase, amylase, and protease production, indicating their ability to degrade hydrogen peroxide starch and proteins, respectively. The results confirmed the in vitro potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as a promising microbial agent for organic matter degradation in wastewater sludge. Although the findings were limited to laboratory conditions, they provided a foundation for future pilot-scale or in situ studies aimed at validating their practical efficiency. This research contributes to the development of microbial-based and eco-efficient strategies for sustainable sludge management.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of indigenous microorganism (IMO) in association with wheat bran and enhanced with NPK fertilizer, to suppress Fusarium wilt and Gummy stem blight and improve watermelon production. A split-plot experimental design with three watermelon varieties (V1: Kolosse; V2: Pinksweet; V3: Kaolack) and six treatments were used. Three cultivation periods were conducted with different treatment combinations. Experiment 1 and 2 which consisted of control, 30 g IMO, 38 g IMO , 46 g IMO, NPK + Fungicide, 38 g IMO + NPK. Experiment 3 were, based on previous results, IMO rate was increased; the six treatments included control, 50 g IMO, 150 g IMO, 250 g IMO, NPK + fungicide and 150 g IMO + NPK. Epidemiological parameters and morphological identification of two pathogens as well as agronomic parameters were assessed. The results revealed that in the first experiment, 46 g IMO reduced the disease incidence of Fusarium wilt by 23.29 % compare to the control; in the second campaign, no Fusarium wilt symptoms were observed in plants treated with 38 g IMO , 46 g IMO and the combination 38 g IMO +NPK. On the contrary, 30 g IMO increased the disease severity of Gummy stem blight by 44.41 % to 90.42 % compared to NPK + F followed by control. Morphological identification confirmed Fusarium oxysporum sp. and Stagonosporopsis sp. as the causal pathogens. Treatment 150 g IMO + NPK increased the weight of watermelon fruit by 89.30 % compared to control, followed by 250 g IMO. Kolosse variety exhibited the highest TSS in treatment combination with up to 10.40 ° Brix in experiment 3 followed by Pinksweet 10.23 ° Brix. This finding demonstrates that IMO bokashi represented a viable strategy for improving watermelon health and productivity.