Plant diseases cause losses of approximately 16% globally. Thus, management measures must be implemented to mitigate losses and guarantee food production. In addition to traditional management measures, induced resistance and biological control have gained ground in agriculture due to their enormous potential. Endophytic fungi internally colonize plant tissues and have the potential to act as control agents, such as biological agents or elicitors in the process of induced resistance and in attenuating abiotic stresses. In this review, we list the mode of action of this group of microorganisms which can act in controlling plant diseases and describe several examples in which endophytes were able to reduce the damage caused by pathogens and adverse conditions. This is due to their arsenal of molecules generated during the interaction by which they form a kind of biological shield in the plant. Furthermore, considering that endophytic fungi can be an important tool in managing for biotic and abiotic stresses due to the large amount of biologically active substances produced, bioprospecting this class of microorganisms is tending to increase and generate valuable products for agriculture.

The induction of resistance is an important strategy in integrated plant disease management. This strategy has a great potential to be adopted by farmers, motivated by the worldwide demand for a reduced pesticide use in food production. Studies have shown that resistance inducers are effective against a wide variety of pathogens, including Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal agent of Asian soybean rust. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the use of induced resistance for soybean rust management. Special emphasis is placed on commercially available products and potential resistance inducers described in the literature. Finally, perspectives and challenges regarding the use of resistance inducers for soybean rust management are highlighted.

Agradeço primeiramente a Deus, meu grande protetor e que me concede as graças diárias para seguir neste caminhada. Agradeço, em especial, ao Prof. Dr. Sérgio Florentino Pascholati pelo conhecimento repassado, compreensão, dedicação e por sua admirável forma de conduzir o convívio e a pesquisa com seus orientados. Ao Laboratório de Produção de Sementes (ESALQ/USP), especialmente a Prof a Dra. Ana D. L. Novembre pelas sugestões e disponibilização do espaço para a realização das análises. Aos meus pais, João Adelino de Paula e Néva Demartini de Paula, ao meu irmão, Kaciano de Paula e a minha cunhada, Adriane Reis, por apoiarem as minhas decisões incondicionalmente e por sempre me auxiliarem em tudo o que precisei. À minha namorada, Aline Fachin Martíni, por todo o auxílio, compreensão e atenção dispensados a mim. E, por entender minha ausência em muitos momentos importantes. Muito obrigado!

Plant diseases cause losses of approximately 16% globally. Thus, management measures must be implemented to mitigate losses and guarantee food production. In addition to traditional management measures, resistance induction and biological control have gained ground in agriculture due to their enormous potential. Endophytic fungi colonize plant tissues internally and have the potential to act as biological control agents, as elicitors in the process of resistance induction and in attenuating abiotic stresses. In this review, we list the action of this group of microorganisms as potential agents which can act in controlling plant diseases and describe several examples in which endophytes were able to reduce the damage caused by pathogens and adverse conditions. This is due to their arsenal of molecules generated during the interaction by which they form a kind of biological shield in the plant. Studies on these microorganisms have grown due to the existing diversity and the multiple benefits they can offer. Finally, considering that endophytic fungi can be an important tool in managing diseases due to the large amount of biologically active substances produced, bioprospecting this class of microorganisms is tending to increase and generate valuable products.

No abstract