Editorial: Beneficial effects of fungal endophytes in major agricultural crops

Abstract

Editorial on the Research TopicBeneficial effects of fungal endophytes in major agricultural crops Endophytic fungi and agricultureEndophytic microorganisms are those that can dwell within plant tissues without any external sign of infection or other harmful effects on the host plants (Burragoni and Jeon, 2021). In recent decades, the important role that both bacterial and fungal endophytes play in plant growth and development, as well as in their ability to survive in their environment, has been identified (Burragoni and Jeon, 2021). Endophytic fungi can be found colonizing any plant organ, presenting a very different distribution and diversity among plants of different species, among plants of the same species, and even among organs of the same plant (Aamir et al., 2020). In crops, endophytic fungi act through different beneficial pathways, as biofertilizers promoting plant growth, as biological control agents of pathogens and pests or as inducers of tolerance under abiotic stresses, having great importance in the development of new strategies for sustainable agriculture (Aamir et al., 2020). These benefits for crops have been studied in the papers published in this Research Topic: promotion of plant growth in tomato (Paradza et al.), cotton (Silva et al.) and wheat (Asim et al.), increased tolerance under salt stress in tritordeum and perennial ryegrass (Toghueo et al.), as biological control agents against pathogenic fungi through antibiosis and mycoparasitism (Silva et al.), or as insecticidal agents through activation of systemic plant defenses (Paradza et al.; Agbessenou et al.), among others.

Interaction studies of Serendipita indica and Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4 and their synergistic role in growth promotion in rice

“…Amino acids play a crucial role in microbial interactions as well as in plant growth. They act as signaling molecules in various metabolic cascades and help in cell-to-cell communication ( Frey-Klett et al., 2011 ; Poveda et al., 2022 ). The analysis of various amino acids was done using LC-MS/MS.…”

“… Asim et al. (2022) observed increased root and aerial biomass, root and stem length, vigor index, and germination using wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum ( Asim et al., 2022 ; Poveda et al., 2022 ). It has also been reported that inoculating plants with S. indica or Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) boosts photosynthetic efficiency by increasing the chlorophyll content of leaves, surface area of leaves, stomatal conductance, and sugar content of leaves ( Das et al., 2012 ; Baishya et al., 2015 ).…”

Extreme environments as sources of fungal endophytes mitigating climate change impacts on crops in Mediterranean‐type ecosystems

“…The application to crops of micro‐organisms from extreme environments is a rapid, cost‐effective and environmentally‐friendly approach that could provide a better alternative to transgenic plants (Ray et al, 2019) and might augment the sustainable agriculture practices required by the new green revolution (Gopal & Gupta, 2016; Pozo et al, 2021). Despite these potential benefits, the use of microbial inoculants is not widespread in farming, mostly probably because of the strict regulatory standards for the registration and commercialization of new bioformulations, the difficulties of mass production, the efficacy of inoculants when applied under field conditions, and resistance from consumers and farmers who prefer traditional food production methods (Poveda et al, 2022). Moreover, there are still few reports of the mechanisms by which endophytes manipulate host plant physiology and exert their effects (Chaudhary et al, 2022; Sarkar et al, 2021), generating further questions about their use in crop production.…”

“…For example, those from coastal and geothermal settings confer tolerance to salt and heat, respectively, a phenomenon termed ‘habitat‐adapted symbiosis’ ( sensu ; Rodriguez et al, 2008), which is thought to arise from the activation of distinct metabolic pathways under specific selective pressures (Ballesteros et al, 2020; Rodriguez et al, 2008). Crop performance in MTEs might therefore be enhanced by endophytes from arid and saline soils, such as those in desert, montane and Antarctic environments (Bertini et al, 2022; Poveda et al, 2022). Although these underexplored environments are largely untapped because of their geographic isolation and inhospitable conditions, they are considered to be rich sources of endophytes (Saikkonen et al, 2004) that might synthesise a plethora of natural products capable of enhancing host stress tolerance (Tiwari & Bae, 2022).…”

“…Plants growing in extreme environments may thus harbour novel endophytes that can confer beneficial effects on crops in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner (García‐Latorre et al, 2021; Verma et al, 2021). However, the majority of previous studies that have examined the effects of endophytes on crops have inoculated single endophytes, rather than multiple strains, onto plants (Poveda et al, 2022). Thus, there is scant evidence that inoculation with multiple endophytes improves crop production.…”