Endophytic fungi of olive tree

Abstract

In addition to the general interest connected with investigations on biodiversity in natural contexts, more recently the scientific community has started considering occurrence of endophytic fungi in crops in the awareness of the fundamental role played by these microorganisms on plant growth and protection. Crops such as olive tree, whose management is more and more frequently based on the paradigm of sustainable agriculture, are particularly interested in the perspective of a possible applicative employment, considering that the multi-year crop cycle implies a likely higher impact of these symbiotic interactions. Aspects concerning occurrence and effects of endophytic fungi associated with olive tree (Olea europaea) are revised in the present paper.