Abstract
Isolation and selection of rhizobacteria potentially as biocontrol agents against Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii causing stewart’s wilt disease in maize. Group of bacteria that colonize plant roots were known as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), in addition to capable of suppressing the development of pathogens also has the ability to improve plant health. This study aims to isolate rhizobacteria from rhizosphere of maize in West Sumatera. Rhizobacteria were characterized and tested for its ability to suppress the bacteria Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii causes stewart wilt’s disease on maize. In this research 15 isolates of rizobacteria potential as biological agent were found, i.e. 6 isolates of the fluorescens bacteria group, 5 isolates of non fluorescens bacteria group and 4 isolates of heat-resistant bacteria group.