Bacterial endophytes: recent developments and applications

Abstract

Endophytic bacteria have been found in virtually every plant studied, where they colonize the internal tissues of their host plant and can form a range of different relationships including symbiotic, mutualistic, commensalistic and trophobiotic. Most endophytes appear to originate from the rhizosphere or phyllosphere; however, some may be transmitted through the seed. Endophytic bacteria can promote plant growth and yield and can act as biocontrol agents. Endophytes can also be beneficial to their host by producing a range of natural products that could be harnessed for potential use in medicine, agriculture or industry. In addition, it has been shown that they have the potential to remove soil contaminants by enhancing phytoremediation and may play a role in soil fertility through phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation. There is increasing interest in developing the potential biotechnological applications of endophytes for improving phytoremediation and the sustainable production of nonfood crops for biomass and biofuel production.

Isolation and characterization of culturable endophytic actinobacteria associated with Artemisia annua L.

“…recovered from plant tissues seems to be a promising source of natural bioactive compounds in addition to soil-borne streptomycetes (Zin et al 2007). It is well accepted that control of phytopathogens through production of some useful compounds is one of the contributions made by any given endophyte to the host-endophyte relationship Ryan et al 2008). Indeed, numerous reports have shown that endophytic actinobacteria can have the capacity to control plant pathogens, although most of the conclusions were reached only doing in vitro assays (Cao et al 2004;Schulz 2006;Tan et al 2006).…”

Associação de Rhizobium sp. a duas leguminosas na tolerância à atrazina

“…Ryan et al (2008) confirmaram que essas bactérias têm potencial para retirar contaminantes do solo, aumentando a fitorremediação, além de contribuir para a fertilidade do solo por meio da solubilização de fosfato e fixação de nitrogênio.…”

Isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria fromPlectranthus tenuiflorusmedicinal plant in Saudi Arabia desert and their antimicrobial activities

“…Endophytic bacteria seem to be distributed in most plant species and have been isolated from roots, leaves, and stems, and a few from flowers, fruits, and seeds (Lodewyckx et al 2002). Endophytic bacteria may accompaniment certain metabolic properties, such as promoting plant growth, controlling soil-borne pathogens, or helping host plant to defeat stress responses to environmental abuse (Mastretta et al 2006;Taghavi et al 2007;Ryan et al 2008). Furthermore, the interactions between plants and bacteria help plants to settle in ecosystem restoration processes (Glick et al 1995).…”