Life of microbes inside the plant

Abstract

A hidden microbial world is present in the interior of all plants. Myriads of bacteria and fungi live inside them without causing apparent deleterious effects to their hosts. They are designated as endophytes. Endophytic communities are variable and diverse. Their structure and composition are shaped by a number of (a)biotic factors. Endophytes have found evolutionary solutions to cope with defensive responses deployed by host plants to face colonization by microbes. In return, they live within an ecological niche that provides better protection against a number of stresses and a reliable and constant source of nutrients. Endophytes seem to contribute to plant fitness and development, displaying beneficial traits that can be exploited in agricultural biotechnology. However, many questions related to the endophytic lifestyle remain to be answered. This chapter summarizes present knowledge on how endophytes are able to establish and endure within plants. Potential biotechnological applications are also briefly presented.