Endophytes: Rendering Systemic Resistance to Plants

Endophytes are those microorganisms that live throughout the life cycle of a plant without causing noticeable negative signs. As endophytes are known to induce resistance in plants and can also suppress phytopathogens, they can be used as a replacement for harmful chemicals. Mostly endophytes establish a symbiotic or commensal relationship with plants, thereby benefitting the latter in terms of nutrition, growth, and disease resistance. Endophytes are known to induce plant hormones, the key chemical constituents that provide tolerance against a number of abiotic and biotic stresses. Endophytes induce resistance in plants and also inhibit phytopathogens by producing several bioactive molecules, defense-related enzymes, PR proteins, siderophores, hyper parasitism, antibiosis, and through induced systemic resistance. Different bioformulations on endophytic fungi and bacteria have yielded promising results in the management of diseases. After reviewing the work done on endophytes, it could be concluded that in the era of sustainable agriculture, endophytes opened a new venture in terms of eco-friendly disease management.