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Published on: July 22, 2017
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Endophytes and Plants Interaction: A Hidden Microbial World Inside the Plant
Vrushali Desai1, Anish Kumar Sharma1, Priyanka Chauhan1
1School of Sciences, P P Savani University, Surat, India.
Journal of Basic Microbiology
|October 14, 2025
Summary
Plant endophytes are microbes that live inside plants, aiding growth and stress resistance. They use molecular strategies to colonize plants and enhance resilience, offering agricultural potential.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Plant Science
- Symbiotic Relationships
Background:
- Endophytes are microbes inhabiting plant tissues without causing disease.
- They are vital for plant growth, development, and managing environmental stress.
- Endophyte-plant interactions involve complex immune evasion and mutualistic relationship establishment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the ecological significance of endophytes.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of endophyte colonization in plants.
- To highlight the functional contributions of endophytes to host plants.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on endophyte biology and plant interactions.
- Synthesis of molecular strategies employed by endophytes for colonization and survival.
- Analysis of endophyte-mediated plant defense mechanisms, including induced systemic resistance (ISR).
Main Results:
- Endophytes enhance plant health via phytohormone production and nutrient solubilization (nitrogen, phosphorus).
- They induce systemic resistance (ISR), priming plants against pathogens and stressors.
- Endophyte colonization is influenced by host genetics, age, and environment, involving complex signaling and immune modulation.
Conclusions:
- Endophytes possess significant, underexploited potential for enhancing plant resilience and agricultural productivity.
- Further research into endophyte mechanisms and applications is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
- Endophytes can positively influence other beneficial microbes in the plant's rhizosphere.
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