Actinomycete Gk. aktis - ray, mukes - fungus.

Group of heterotropic filamentous eubacteria tending to form extremely fine ramified mycelia. They multiply by mere breaking of the mycelium or by hyphae. The most common genera in soil (Streptomyces and Nocardia) are particularly able to degrade organic substances which cannot easily by decomposed, thereby producing vitamins and antibiotics. Being aerobic, their presence in a soil signifies good structure and good aeration. They can be symbiotic with some higher plants such as Alnus and Myrica