Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF): Phytostimulation and induced systemic resistance

Abstract

The associations between plants and multipurpose plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) have been proven extremely to be beneficial to plants. This review describes new knowledge about the interactions between plants and their associated PGPF in determining improved plant growth and induced systemic resistance (ISR) to invading pathogens. It has been shown that fungi of heterogeneous classes and habitats function as PGPF. The well-known fungal genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Piriformospora, Phoma, and Trichoderma are the most frequently reported PGPF. On comparing the results of different studies, it appears that plant-PGPF interactions can have positive effects on belowground and aboveground plant organs. The most commonly reported effects are significant improvement in germination, seedling vigor, biomass production, root hair development, photosynthetic efficiency, flowering, and yield. Some strains have the abilities to improve plant biochemical composition. It has now known that PGPF can also control numerous foliar and root pathogens by triggering ISR in the host plants. These capabilities are driven by their abilities to enhance nutrient uptake and phytohormone production as well as to reprogram plant gene expression, through differential activation of plant signaling pathways. The PGPF-triggered plant growth and ISR responses to pathogen attack may work through genetype-dependent manner in plants.