Impact of beneficial soil microorganisms and endophytes on plant defense against insects

Abstract

Soil borne microorganisms such as mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria help plants to overcome abiotic and biotic stress. Mechanisms used in this situtations are: growth promotion and induced resistance. Beneficial soil microorganisms also interact with foliar insects (herbivores, natural enemies and pollinators). This kind of interactions are getting more and more important in different ecosystems, especially in agriculture. A better knowledege of these systems would certainly help to deepen the understanding of multitrophic interactions.