Role of endophytic actinomycetes in crop protection: Plant growth promotion and biological control

Abstract

Endophytes are microorganisms that inhabit the interior of plant tissues without causing apparent disease in the host plant. The utilization of endophytic microorganisms for agricultural purposes has increased recently, especially in the biological control of insect-pest and plant disease and in plant growth promotion. Research has shown that many endophytic actinomycetes are beneficial to host plants with regard to the biological control of phytopathogens and plant growth promotion. Endophytic actinomycetes may promote plant growth by a combination of mechanisms, such as the solubilization of nutrients and the production of growth hormones and enzymes. Because actinomycetes are able to produce spores, a dissemination structure that offers resistance to many adverse conditions. These actinobacteria could be used for the formulation of novel bioinoculants composed of spores and/or mycelium. An understanding of the mechanisms enabling these endophytes to interact with host is important for realizing the potential of these microorganisms in agriculture production.