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Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd...
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Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Microbe Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 14489

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Egamberdieva Dilfuza

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg, Germany
Interests: plant microbe interactions; soil and plant microbiome; microbial diversity; biological control; biofertilizers; biofungicides; plant nutrition; medicinal plant
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Wen-Jun Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: microbiology in extreme environments; environmental microbiology; microbial ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is the continuation of our previous Special Issue, "Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants".

Endophytes are microorganisms that symbiotically reside in plant tissues, either inter- or intra-cellularly, maintaining a mutualistic association. These unique microorganisms influence several vital activities of host plants by playing key roles as proficient plant-growth promoters, inducing systemic resistance against pathogen attack, and helping to counteract abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, extreme temperature, and metal toxicity. Molecular mechanisms governing endophyte-mediated stress responses include the modification of host genetic machinery through cascades of actions or directly by the secretion of metabolites. This is carried out through the elicitation of stress-related genes or the induction of the synthesis of biomolecules which in turn trigger plant defense pathways resulting in tolerance to environmental stresses. Endophytes could represent an eco-friendly approach to improving the growth and yield of crops in a sustainable manner. They could also be used for climate-resilient cropping systems, which are needed in the era of climate change. Endophytes are now also known to be a source of novel metabolites, and can be exploited in areas like bioremediation, biodegradation, pharmaceuticals, and more. However, studies of plant–endophyte interactions are still in their nascent stage, and there are several untapped mechanisms which need to be explored and unleashed. With the amalgamation of prominent biotechnological approaches, future insights in this area could open numerous paths towards multifaceted arrays of finely evolved plant–microbe interactions. This Special Issue invites research articles and reviews in the abovementioned areas, which should be largely focused on unraveling the plant–endophyte interactions, the mechanisms involved, and the role of these exceptional microorganisms in mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses.

Dr. Egamberdieva Dilfuza
Prof. Dr. Wen-Jun Li
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 5413 KiB  
Article
Whole-Genome Profiling of Endophytic Strain B.L.Ns.14 from Nigella sativa Reveals Potential for Agricultural Bioenhancement
by Dimitra Douka, Tasos-Nektarios Spantidos, Polina C. Tsalgatidou, Panagiotis Katinakis and Anastasia Venieraki
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2604; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122604 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1304
Abstract
Endophytic microbes in medicinal plants often possess beneficial traits for plant health. This study focuses on the bacterial endophyte strain B.L.Ns.14, isolated from Nigella sativa leaves, which demonstrated multiple plant growth-promoting properties. In vitro tests showed that B.L.Ns.14 supports plant growth, colonization, and [...] Read more.
Endophytic microbes in medicinal plants often possess beneficial traits for plant health. This study focuses on the bacterial endophyte strain B.L.Ns.14, isolated from Nigella sativa leaves, which demonstrated multiple plant growth-promoting properties. In vitro tests showed that B.L.Ns.14 supports plant growth, colonization, and tolerance to abiotic stress. The strain also exhibited antifungal activity against phytopathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, Colletotrichum acutatum, Verticillium dahliae, and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici. Whole-genome analysis, supported by ANI and dDDH values, identified B.L.Ns.14 as Bacillus halotolerans. Genome mining revealed 128 active carbohydrate enzymes (Cazymes) related to endophytism and biocontrol functions, along with genes involved in phosphate solubilization, siderophore and IAA production, biofilm formation, and motility. Furthermore, genes for osmolyte metabolism, Na+/H+ antiporters, and stress response proteins were also identified. The genome harbors 12 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, including those for surfactin, plipastatin mojavensin, rhizocticin A, and bacilysin, known for their antagonistic effects against fungi. Additionally, B.L.Ns.14 promoted Arabidopsis thaliana growth under both normal and saline conditions, and enhanced Solanum lycopersicum growth via seed biopriming and root irrigation. These findings suggest that Bacillus halotolerans B.L.Ns.14 holds potential as a biocontrol and plant productivity agent, warranting further field testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 3424 KiB  
Article
Role of the Foliar Endophyte Colletotrichum in the Resistance of Invasive Ageratina adenophora to Disease and Abiotic Stress
by Ailing Yang, Yuxuan Li, Zhaoying Zeng and Hanbo Zhang
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2565; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122565 - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 737
Abstract
Plant-associated fungi often drive plant invasion success by increasing host growth, disease resistance, and tolerance to environmental stress. A high abundance of Colletotrichum asymptomatically accumulated in the leaves of Ageratina adenophora. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether three genetically distinct [...] Read more.
Plant-associated fungi often drive plant invasion success by increasing host growth, disease resistance, and tolerance to environmental stress. A high abundance of Colletotrichum asymptomatically accumulated in the leaves of Ageratina adenophora. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether three genetically distinct endophytic Colletotrichum isolates (AX39, AX115, and AX198) activate invasive plant defenses against disease and environmental stress. We observed that, in the absence of pathogen attack and environmental stress, the foliar endophyte Colletotrichum reduced photosynthesis-related physiological indicators (i.e., chlorophyll content and soluble sugar content), increased resistance-related indicators (i.e., total phenolic (TP) and peroxidase (POD) activity), and decreased the biomass of A. adenophora. However, endophytic Colletotrichum strains exhibit positive effects on resistance to certain foliar pathogen attacks. Strains AX39 and AX115 promoted but AX198 attenuated the pathogenic effects of pathogen strains G56 and Y122 (members of Mesophoma ageratinae). In contrast, AX39 and AX115 weakened, but AX198 had no effect on, the pathogenic effect of the pathogen strain S188 (Mesophoma speciosa; Didymellaceae family). We also found that endophytes increase the biomass of A. adenophora under drought or nutrient stress. Strain AX198 significantly increased stem length and chlorophyll content under drought stress. Strain AX198 significantly increased the aboveground dry weight, AX115 increased the stem length, and AX39 significantly increased the chlorophyll content under nutrient stress. Our results revealed that there are certain positive effects of foliar Colletotrichum endophytes on A. adenophora in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, which may be beneficial for its invasion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 2320 KiB  
Article
Role of Bacillus spp. Plant Growth Promoting Properties in Mitigating Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
by Tanja Weinand, Abbas El-Hasan and Folkard Asch
Microorganisms 2023, 11(9), 2327; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092327 - 15 Sep 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2192
Abstract
The ability of microorganisms to promote plant growth and mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses makes them an interesting tool for sustainable agriculture. Numerous studies aim to identify new, promising bacteria isolates. Traditional culture-based methods, which focus on selecting microorganisms with plant-growth-promoting traits, such [...] Read more.
The ability of microorganisms to promote plant growth and mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses makes them an interesting tool for sustainable agriculture. Numerous studies aim to identify new, promising bacteria isolates. Traditional culture-based methods, which focus on selecting microorganisms with plant-growth-promoting traits, such as hormone production, nutrient solubilization, and antifungal properties, are widely used. This study aims to investigate the role of plant-growth-promoting properties in bacteria-mediated stress mitigation and the suitability of traditional culture-based methods as a screening tool for the identification of beneficial bacteria. To this end, we tested three endophytic Bacillus isolates, which have previously been shown to affect tolerance against iron toxicity in lowland rice, (a) for their effect on the resistance against brown spot disease, and (b) for plant-growth-promoting traits using common culture-based methods. Both B. pumilus isolates inhibited fungal growth in vitro and reduced brown spot disease in two of three rice cultivars in planta, although they tested negative for all plant-growth-promoting traits. While B. megaterium was negative for ACC deaminase activity and nutrient solubilization, it exhibited auxin production. Nevertheless, B. megaterium did not suppress brown spot disease in any of the three rice cultivars. This study shows that bacteria do not necessarily have to possess classical plant-growth-promoting properties in order to be beneficial to plants, and it emphasizes the limitation of common culture-based methods in effectively identifying beneficial bacteria. Moreover, our results highlight the significance of the interaction between bacteria and plant cultivars in determining the beneficial effects of Bacillus spp. on plants under biotic or abiotic stresses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 4318 KiB  
Article
Fungal Community Composition at the Last Remaining Wild Site of Yellow Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. ochroleuca)
by Andrea Dove, Michael D. Charters, Matthew J. Campbell, Hanna Blake, Manoj Menon and Viswambharan Sarasan
Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 2124; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11082124 - 21 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1754
Abstract
The yellow early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. ochroleuca) is a critically endangered terrestrial orchid in Britain. Previous attempts to translocate symbiotic seedlings to a site near the last remaining wild site demonstrated some success, with a 10% survival rate despite [...] Read more.
The yellow early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. ochroleuca) is a critically endangered terrestrial orchid in Britain. Previous attempts to translocate symbiotic seedlings to a site near the last remaining wild site demonstrated some success, with a 10% survival rate despite adverse weather conditions over a two-year period. However, to facilitate future reintroduction efforts or conservation translocations, a more comprehensive understanding of the fungal microbiome and abiotic soil characteristics at the final remaining wild site is required. Obtaining comprehensive information on both the fungal community and soil nutrient composition from wild sites has significant benefits and may prove critical for the success of future conservation translocations involving threatened orchids. This preliminary study, conducted at the last remaining wild site, revealed a significant correlation between the relative abundance of the orchid mycorrhizal fungal order Cantharellales and the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate in the soil. Another orchid mycorrhizal fungal group, Sebacinales, was found to be distributed extensively throughout the site. The composition of fungal communities across the entire site, orchid-hosting and non-orchid-hosting soils is discussed in relation to reinforcing the current population and preventing the extinction of this orchid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 3240 KiB  
Article
Mineral-Solubilizing Bacteria-Mediated Enzymatic Regulation and Nutrient Acquisition Benefit Cotton’s (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Vegetative and Reproductive Growth
by Iqra Ahmad, Maqshoof Ahmad, Bushra, Azhar Hussain, Muhammad Zahid Mumtaz, Najm-ul-Seher, Ghulam Hassan Abbasi, Farheen Nazli, Lisa Pataczek and Hayssam M. Ali
Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040861 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2470
Abstract
Many farmers’ incomes in developing countries depend on the cultivation of major crops grown in arid and semi-arid regions. The agricultural productivity of arid and semi-arid areas primarily relies on chemical fertilizers. The effectiveness of chemical fertilizers needs to improve by integration with [...] Read more.
Many farmers’ incomes in developing countries depend on the cultivation of major crops grown in arid and semi-arid regions. The agricultural productivity of arid and semi-arid areas primarily relies on chemical fertilizers. The effectiveness of chemical fertilizers needs to improve by integration with other sources of nutrients. Plant growth-promoting bacteria can solubilize nutrients, increase plant nutrient uptake, and supplement chemical fertilizers. A pot experiment evaluated the promising plant growth-promoting bacterial strain’s effectiveness in promoting cotton growth, antioxidant enzymes, yield, and nutrient uptake. Two phosphate solubilizing bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis IA6 and Paenibacillus polymyxa IA7) and two zinc solubilizing bacterial strains (Bacillus sp. IA7 and Bacillus aryabhattai IA20) were coated on cotton seeds in a single as well as co-inoculation treatments. These treatments were compared with uninoculated controls in the presence and absence of recommended chemical fertilizer doses. The results showed the co-inoculation combination of Paenibacillus polymyxa IA7 and Bacillus aryabhattai IA20 significantly increased the number of bolls, seed cotton yield, lint yield, and antioxidants activities, including superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and peroxidase. Co-inoculation combination of Bacillus subtilis IA6 and Bacillus sp. IA16 promoted growth attributes, including shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, and root fresh weight. This co-inoculation combination also increased soil nutrient content. At the same time, Paenibacillus polymyxa IA7 + Bacillus aryabhattai IA20 increased nutrient uptake by plant shoots and roots compared. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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15 pages, 712 KiB  
Review
Endophytic Fungi for Crops Adaptation to Abiotic Stresses
by Adan Topiltzin Morales-Vargas, Varinia López-Ramírez, Cesar Álvarez-Mejía and Juan Vázquez-Martínez
Microorganisms 2024, 12(7), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12071357 - 2 Jul 2024
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3041
Abstract
Endophytic fungi (EFs) have emerged as promising modulators of plant growth and stress tolerance in agricultural ecosystems. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the role of EFs in enhancing the adaptation of crops to abiotic stress. Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, [...] Read more.
Endophytic fungi (EFs) have emerged as promising modulators of plant growth and stress tolerance in agricultural ecosystems. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the role of EFs in enhancing the adaptation of crops to abiotic stress. Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures, pose significant challenges to crop productivity worldwide. EFs have shown remarkable potential in alleviating the adverse effects of these stresses. Through various mechanisms, including the synthesis of osmolytes, the production of stress-related enzymes, and the induction of plant defense mechanisms, EFs enhance plant resilience to abiotic stressors. Moreover, EFs promote nutrient uptake and modulate the hormonal balance in plants, further enhancing the stress tolerance of the plants. Recent advancements in molecular techniques have facilitated the identification and characterization of stress-tolerant EF strains, paving the way for their utilization in agricultural practices. Furthermore, the symbiotic relationship between EFs and plants offers ecological benefits, such as improved soil health and a reduced dependence on chemical inputs. However, challenges remain in understanding the complex interactions between EFs and host plants, as well as in scaling up their application in diverse agricultural systems. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms underlying endophytic-fungal-mediated stress tolerance and developing sustainable strategies for harnessing their potential in crop production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endophytes for Managing Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, 2nd Edition)
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