There is a growing interest in the use of secondary metabolites,
such as toxins, proteins, hormones, vitamins, amino acids and
antibiotics from microorganisms, particularly from actinomycetes,
for the control of plant pathogens as these are readily degradable,
highly specific and less toxic to nature (Doumbou et al., 2001). It is
a well-known fact that actinomycetes are found most common in
compost and play an important role not only in the decomposition
of organic materials but also in their ability to produce secondary
metabolites of pharmacological and commercial interest. Hence, in
the present investigation, several herbal vermicomposts were
screened for actinomycetes that contain antagonistic potential
against Fusarium wilt of chickpea. The objective of this study was to
characterize and evaluate the actinomycetes isolated from vermicomposts
for their ability to suppress FOC under both green house
and field conditions