Mechanistic insights on plant root colonization by bacterial endophytes: a symbiotic relationship for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Plant-microbe and soil interactions are one of the oldest muse for multi-disciplinary researchers. Plant growth promoting microorganisms influence the host physiology by secreting regulatory chemical signals in the vicinity of plant roots and play a key role in the enhancement of plant growth and expansion. The present review deals with the in-depth understanding of steps involved in host tissues colonization by bacterial endophytes. The molecular insights of these events, particularly for endophytic bacteria, are poorly documented till date. The endophytic bacteria must coexist with the host plant and capable of colonizing the internal plant tissues without being recognized as a pathogen. A proper understanding of exchange of signals between the host plant and bacterial communities is required which may facilitate the development of new strategies to promote beneficial interactions between them. This knowledge can be instrumental in agricultural practices as well as for phytoremediation of pollutants. Keeping these facts in mind, the present review attempts to explore the systematic understanding of steps involved and molecular insights of plant colonization events by endophytic bacteria. We conclude that molecular mechanisms and factors affecting endophytic bacterial colonization deserve more research attention in order to exploit their beneficial aspects for sustainable agriculture and environment.

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Cross Talk Between Zinc-Solubilizing Bacteria and Plants: A Short Tale of Bacterial-Assisted Zinc Biofortification

“…"Endophytes" are special microbiota that live inside plants without showing pathogenic nature such as causing of disease (85) and colonize the internal plant tissues (86,87). Endophytic microbiota are well documented to perform critical plant development, fitness, and diversification roles (88) and use the mechanisms similar to those shown by rhizobacteria for profound plant growth properties (86,89).…”

Plant Host-Associated Mechanisms for Microbial Selection

“…et al, 2015). The interplay of phytohormones can be antagonistic, with microbes being able to exploit the antagonism to facilitate colonization and thus evade host defense responses (Jacobs et al, 2011; Plett et al, 2014; Jha et al, 2018). The microbes themselves may utilize effector molecules to actively manipulate the phytohormone pathways and elicit antagonism between the pathways (Kazan and Lyons, 2014).…”