Rolle im Pflanzenschutz vor Insekten und Pathogenen durch den Wirtsendophyt

Crop plants are inhabited by complex microbial communities, some of which are harmful and cause diseases, while others promote plant growth and enhance nutrient uptake as well as tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress factors through a variety of mechanisms. The fungi or bacteria that grow within the plant tissue without harming the host are referred to as endophytes. They associate with the majority of plant species found in natural and managed ecosystems. Endophytes are considered important plant partners that play a significant role in enhancing the stress tolerance of the host compared to those that do not engage in such symbiosis. Most endophytes are found to have no known effect, but numerous bacteria and fungi form mutualistic or pathogenic associations with the host plant. Typically, the outcome of these interactions depends on environmental factors and the genotype of both the host and the interacting microorganism. Endophytes are microorganisms that asymptomatically inhabit living plant tissue without having an immediate, overt, negative effect on the plant.