Cacao represents an important source of income for farmers in the south of Mexico. However, phytosanitary problems have disrupted the production over the years. The use of antagonistic microorganisms as biocontrol agents might improve the production of cacao. In this study, Paenibacillus polymyxa NMA1017, isolated from the rhizosphere of Opuntia ficus-indica L., was used as a biocontrol agent for black pod rot of Theobroma cacao L. cultivated in Chiapas, Mexico. The experiments were carried in vitro and in vivo using pear fruit (Pyrous communis) as model and cacao pods in the field, respectively. The effect of NMA1017 on the phytopathogen was observed by electron microscopy and the production of enzymes was tested as a potential mechanism of action. The bacterium inhibited the radial growth of Phytophthora tropicalis PtCa-14 by 85.9 ± 0.12%. The strain NMA1017 affected mycelial development, as observed by the damage to the cell wall of the oomycete. In pear fruit, the biocontrol agent controlled the production of mycelium on the pear fruit surface, indicating an inhibitory effect exerted. Cacao pods infected with P. tropicalis in the field resulted in a reduction in disease incidence from 86 to 33% and in infection from 68 to 6%. Moreover, strain NMA1017 produced hydrolytic enzymes such as cellulases, xylanases, chitinases and proteases. The results obtained highlight P. polymyxa NMA1017 as an organism of interest for the biocontrol of P. tropicalis, as a method to rescue this important crop in Mexico.

可可是墨西哥南部农民的重要收入来源。然而，植物检疫问题多年来扰乱了生产。使用拮抗微生物作为生物防治剂可能会提高可可的产量。本研究采用从仙人掌-籼稻根际分离得到的多粘类芽孢杆菌NMA1017作为墨西哥恰帕斯州种植的可可树黑荚病的生防剂。使用梨果实（ Pyrous Communis）进行体外和体内实验。) 分别作为模型和可可豆荚。通过电子显微镜观察 NMA1017 对植物病原体的影响，并测试了酶的产生作为潜在的作用机制。该细菌对热带疫霉PtCa-14的径向生长抑制了85.9 ± 0.12%。菌株 NMA1017 影响了菌丝体的发育，正如对卵菌细胞壁的破坏所观察到的那样。在梨果实中，生物防治剂控制了梨果实表面菌丝体的产生，表明发挥了抑制作用。感染了热带假单胞菌的可可豆荚在该领域，疾病发生率从 86% 降低到 33%，感染率从 68% 降低到 6%。此外，菌株 NMA1017 产生水解酶，例如纤维素酶、木聚糖酶、几丁质酶和蛋白酶。获得的结果突出显示了P. polymyxa NMA1017 作为对 P.tropicalis 的生物防治感兴趣的生物体，作为拯救墨西哥这一重要作物的一种方法。