Unlocking the myriad benefits of endophytes: An overview

Abstract

Endophytes are the organisms that exist within the living tissues of most plant species without inducing any pathogenic symptoms in the host. Their association with the host plant may be symbiotic, mutualistic, commensalistic, trophobiotic and their interaction with them may be biochemical and g netic as well. It is their enormous diversity and specialized biotopes that make them a stimulating field of study. The fact that endophytes can mimic some of the phytochemicals originally characteristic of the host has changed the scope of endophytic biology. As a result of this fact, various classes of natural products that have been discovered from endophytes which include antitumour, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and various different industrial enzymes. Even some unusual molecules that act as immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, insecticidal, herbicidal, etc. have been isolated from them. Endophyte–plant relationship can be exploited to promote plant health as it also plays an important role in low-input sustainable agricultural applications for both food and nonfood crops. Recent studies on endophytes have shown the beneficial roles of host-endophyte associations as protection against mammals, resistance to pathogenic fungi and other insect herbivores, increased growth and development, nutrient uptake and stress tolerance in various plants including agriculturally important crops. The main objective of this review is to explore the potential of endophytes in varied fields that can prove beneficial to mankind. As a result, the role of endophytes has been discussed in some of the key fields of interest such as biotrasformation, biodegradation, phytoremediation, seed production, seed predation, plant growth promotion, plant stress relievers, biocatalysis, biofuel production, biocontrol agents, agricultural importance, source of novel natural products etc. The present review is an attempt to unlock the enormous benefits that the microbial endophytes can offer.