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Black pod rot is the most significant factor limiting production of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in Malaysia with average annual losses of above 30%. This work was carried out to isolate, characterize and screen bacterial endophytes from cocoa plants for their biological control activities. Their mechanisms of action as well as abilities to reduce black pod rot disease were also investigated. In total, 103 endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from healthy cocoa tissues (leaves, branches and fruits) from seven states of Malaysia in 2016 and screened for their antagonism against P. palmivora in vitro. The best two isolates AS1 and AS2 with more than 80% inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) were selected for subsequent experiments. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA region indicated that these two isolates belonged to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (AS1) and Chryseobacterium proteolyticum (AS2). Bioactive …