Endophytes

Microbial Endophytes: Prospects for Sustainable Agriculture discusses the practical and theoretical aspects regarding the use of endophytic microorganisms in agriculture, providing insights on the biotechnological applications associated with long-term crop production. Chapters deal with the various aspects of endophytic microorganisms, including isolation, enumeration, characterization procedures, diversity analysis, and their role as biofertilizer, biocontrol agent and microbial inoculants. Framed to discuss the present and future potential of microbial endophytes in biotic and abiotic stress management, bioremediation, bioactive compounds production, and in nanotechnology, this book provides a single-volume resource that will be valuable to academics and researchers interested in microbiology, agricultural sciences and biotechnology. Explores aspects of sustainable agriculture by using endophytic microorganism such as bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria Presents insights into the use of endophytes as biofertilizer and biocontrol agents in sustainable agriculture Relates endophyte organisms and nano-technology

This book describes the various therapeutic and commercial applications of compounds produced by endophytes. Endophytes are microorganisms that reside in the living internal tissues of plants without showing any apparent symptom of their presence. During their life cycle, they establish a symbiotic or parasitic relationship with the host plant. The book discusses different kinds of compounds that these endophytes produce, and their potential properties such as antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neutraceutical, immunomodulatory etc. Other prospects of entophytic biology such as fungi of wild and domesticated crop plants and their applications in sustainable agriculture have also been included. The book also provides details about various techniques used in endophyte research, metabolite detection and bioactivity-based assays to explore endophytes. Endophytes with phytohormones‐producing potential and their role in plant —microbial interactions under stress are also discussed. The book also highlights novel strategies to tap into the hidden potential of endophytic fungi for the production of novel biomolecules using an integrated approach. These microorganisms have attracted a lot of scientific attention worldwide because of their huge potential for novel phytochemicals, pharmaceuticals and lead compounds. Hundreds of new novel endophytic fungi have been isolated, identified and systematically studied in last decade. However, this is the first of its kind, systematic compilation of potential biotechnological applications of endophytic compounds. Chapter contributions from groups across the globe make this book very up-to-date and informative. This book is very useful and interesting for students and researchers in the field of microbiology, plant sciences, mycology and pharmacology. It is also helpful for industry experts working on developing novel compounds.

Discusses the role of endophytes in food security, forestry and health. It outlines their general biology, spanning theory to practice.

Examining intercellular infections in certain plant species that lead to a symbiotic relationship between the host and its endophytic microbes, this volume demonstrates the ability of many types of endosymbionts, acting as a unit with hosts to better survive, compete and reproduce. Practical applications of such endophytes are also discussed, for example, pharmaceutical developments and agricultural management.

This book discusses the latest developments in our understanding of microbial endophytes, their ecology, diversity and potential biotechnological applications. It covers all the latest advances concerning the endophytic interaction of microorganisms in a wide array of plants, reported on by experts from the entire globe. The diverse microbial community, which consists of archaeal, bacterial, fungal and protistic taxa, can be found in all plants. The endophytic lifecycle reveals how microorganisms play essential roles in plant growth, fitness and diversification. Diversity is an integral component of ecology. In soil ecology, below-ground interactions of plant and microorganisms are accomplished by endophytes, which reside in the plant’s internal tissues. The microbial world in general and endophytes in particular reflect a unique degree of genetic and functional (metabolic) diversity. Currently, significant attention is being paid to endophytic microorganisms, as their repertoire of cells and metabolites hold immense potential with regard to biotechnological applications for sustainable development. The diversity of bacterial endophytes guarantees that there are endophytes capable of forming compatible associations with all agronomically important plants, including monocots and dicots. The study of endophytes’ diverse nature in connection with biodiesel, medicinal and agriculturally important crop can lead to a better understanding of applicable facets. The topics in this dynamic field of study are so diverse and vast. This volume will benefit all botanists, microbiologists, ecologists, plant pathologists, physiologists, agronomists, molecular biologists, environmentalists, policymakers, conservationists and NGOs working to protect species and prevent the loss of biologically significant genetic material.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Fungal Endophytes in Plants" that was published in JoF

This is the first book dedicated to the interactions of non-mycorrhizal microbial endophytes with plant roots. The phenotypes of these interactions can be extremely plastic, depending on environmental factors, nutritional status, genetic disposition and developmental stages of the two partners. This book explores diversity, life history strategies, interactions, applications in agriculture and forestry, methods for isolation, cultivation, and both conventional and molecular methods for identification and detection of these endophytes.

This book focuses on the importance and roles of seed microbiomes in sustainable agriculture by exploring the diversity of microbes vectored on and within seeds of both cultivated and non-cultivated plants. It provides essential insights into how seeds can be adapted to enhance microbiome vectoring, how damaged seed microbiomes can be assembled again and how seed microbiomes can be conserved. Plant seeds carry not only embryos and nutrients to fuel early seedling growth, but also microbes that modulate development, soil nutrient acquisition, and defense against pathogens and other stressors. Many of these microbes (bacteria and fungi) become endophytic, entering into the tissues of plants, and typically exist within plants without inducing negative effects. Although they have been reported in all plants examined to date, the extent to which plants rely on seed vectored microbiomes to enhance seedling competitiveness and survival is largely unappreciated. How microbes function to increase the fitness of seedlings is also little understood. The book is a unique and important resource for researchers and students in microbial ecology and biotechnology. Further, it appeals to applied academic and industrial agriculturists interested in increasing crop health and yield.

Endophytes of the Tropics: Diversity, Ubiquity and Applications® is a presentation of consolidated information on endophytes from the tropical region. It provides a glimpse of the various species of endophytes in the tropics, their host plants, their applications in the various field, and some of the challenges in endophytic research. In short, this book presents an overview of and the future of endophyte research in the tropics. The book offers comprehensive coverage of the most essential topics, including: Diversity of endophytes in the tropics Beneficial application of tropical endophytes or their derivatives Highlights on some valuable endophytic species from the tropics Some commercialized products based on tropical endophytes Challenges in researching endophytes Remedial strategies to advance research on tropical endophytes This books stands apart from others as it highlights on endophytes of the tropical regions, associating the uniqueness of tropical endophytes with the rich plant diversity and ethnobotanical history. There is therefore greater possibility that novel metabolites can be isolated from the endophytes, which can be explored and harnessed for the benefit of mankind.

Plant endophytes are a potential source for the production of bioactive compounds that can fight against devastating diseases in both plants and humans. Among these endophytic microorganisms, endophytic fungi are one of the dominant group of microorganisms with a potential role in plant growth promotion and the discovery of noble bioactive natural products. Endophytic fungi possess several bioactivities like anticancer, antimicrobial, insecticidal, plant growth stimulants, crop protection, phytoremediation, etc. Presence of modular biosynthetic genes clusters like PKS and NRPS in several endophytic fungi underscores the need to understand and explore such organisms. This volume presents and demonstrates the applied aspects of endophytic fungi. Practical applications of such endophytes are discussed in detail, including studies in pharmaceutical development and agricultural management of important microbial diseases. The beneficial effects that endophytic fungi provide to host plants—enhancing growth, increasing fitness, strengthening tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses through secondary metabolites—are also discussed. The reader is provided with a comprehensive and detailed understanding of such relationships between endophytic fungi and their host.