Ecological aspects of endophyte-based biocontrol of forest diseases

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that the asymptomatic fungal endophytes may influence the outcome of forest trees' interactions with pathogens and herbivores, raising a promise that endophytes might be utilized as biocontrol agents in integrated pest and disease management. However, practical applications for forest protection based on endophytes are still rare, in particular in the case of the economically and ecologically important large trees and their diseases. A better understanding of the ecological and biological background of the protection provided by endophytes may help to design new forest protection strategies that utilize endophytes in control of tree diseases. More information is also needed regarding the effects of silvicultural methods on endophyte communities at the level of single trees and forest stands. In this chapter, we discuss the motivation for continued research on endophyte-based biocontrol of forest tree diseases and some ecological aspects related to the topic.