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Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi
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Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 27153

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Oscar Santamaria

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Construction and Agronomy, University of Salamanca. Avenida Cardenal Cisneros 34, 49029 Zamora, Spain
Interests: fungal endophytes; plant diseases; secondary metabolites; biocontrol; plant production; plant growth promotors; biofortification; dehesas; nutritive value; gremmeniella abietina
Prof. Dr. Sara Rodrigo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agronomy and Forest Environment Engineering, University of Extremadura. Avenida Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: fungal endophytes; secondary metabolites; biocontrol; plant production; plant growth promotors; biofortification; dehesas; nutritive value; beer; food chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The incidence and virulence of plant diseases on plants are clearly increasing as a consequence of the intensification of trade flows worldwide, as well as the climate change effects. The higher temperatures and the more severe drought events may cause a weakening of plant growth and protective system, aspects that undoubtedly may negatively impact the productivity of crops, compromising the food security of the world population. To face these phytosanitary problems, expected to aggravate in a near future, and trying to minimize the environmental risks that the use of chemical phytosanitary products involves, the usage and exploitation of fungal endophytes has arisen in the last decades. Endophytic fungi might allow to maintain or to increase the crop productivity, as they have been shown to be antagonistic of many fungal pathogens providing protection to host plants.

Endophytic fungi, organisms which for part or their complete life cycle invade the living tissues of plants without causing any disease symptoms, usually cause beneficial effects in the host plant. Endophytes have been recorded in all plant species analyzed, and an increasing number of studies show that some endophytes play an important role in the adaptation of plants to stressful habitats and conditions. In addition, endophytes are an important source of secondary metabolites, often involved in the beneficial effects observed in plant hosts.

As this is a very promising field, the number of experiments with fungal endophytes evaluating their potential to control many plant diseases is continuously increasing, but new research is also needed as long as new species and metabolites are discovered. Therefore in this special issue, articles (original research papers, reviews, communications and concept papers) that focus on the new advances about fungal endophytes with potential applications to be used as control agents against plant pathogenic fungi are welcome.

Dr. Oscar Santamaria
Prof. Dr. Sara Rodrigo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Fungal endophytes
  • Plant diseases
  • Plant protection
  • Biocontrol
  • Bioactive metabolites
  • Biophytosanitary products
  • Antagonism
  • Endophytes-fungal pathogens interactions
  • Defense mechanisms

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 3002 KiB  
Article
Endophytic Fungi Residing within Cornus florida L. in Mid-Tennessee: Phylogenetic Diversity, Enzymatic Properties, and Potential Role in Plant Health
by Asha Maheshwari and Margaret T. Mmbaga
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1250; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091250 - 30 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1260
Abstract
Endophytic fungi that reside internally in healthy, asymptomatic plants often benefit their hosts by promoting plant growth and/or providing plant protection against abiotic and biotic stresses. However, only a small fraction of the estimated 1.5 million fungal endophytes have been identified. In this [...] Read more.
Endophytic fungi that reside internally in healthy, asymptomatic plants often benefit their hosts by promoting plant growth and/or providing plant protection against abiotic and biotic stresses. However, only a small fraction of the estimated 1.5 million fungal endophytes have been identified. In this study, a total of 369 isolates of fungal endophytes in 59 distinct taxa were isolated from stem samples of Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). All isolates belonged to species of phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota distributed across five orders and 11 genera. Isolates belonging to the same family clustered together in a phylogenetic tree generated from a cluster analysis using MEGA 7 software. Diversity indices of the fungi revealed a rich and diverse community that included several species associated with leaf spots, blight, cankers, and/or dieback diseases. Pathogenicity tests confirmed 16 fungal endophytes as C. florida pathogens, including some well-known destructive pathogens Botryosphaera dothidea, Colletotrichum acutatum, and C. gleosporoides. Isolates of the fungal endophytes possess the capacity to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes (cellulase, amylase, pectinase, laccase, chitinase, and protease) that are known to function in tissue penetration, plant colonization, nutrient acquisition, and disease suppression in both plant pathogens and endophytes These results support the interchangeable pathogenic–endophytic roles for some taxa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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13 pages, 1223 KiB  
Article
Protective Effects of Filtrates and Extracts from Fungal Endophytes on Phytophthora cinnamomi in Lupinus luteus
by Carlos García-Latorre, Sara Rodrigo and Oscar Santamaria
Plants 2022, 11(11), 1455; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111455 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2339
Abstract
Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequently, the secondary metabolites produced by the endophyte are responsible for antifungal activity. To develop new bio-products that are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides against Phytophthora cinnamomi, a [...] Read more.
Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequently, the secondary metabolites produced by the endophyte are responsible for antifungal activity. To develop new bio-products that are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides against Phytophthora cinnamomi, a serious pathogen of many plant species, the antifungal activity of filtrates or extracts from four endophytes was evaluated in different in vitro tests and in plants of Lupinus luteus. In the dual culture assays, the filtrate of one of the endophytes (Drechslera biseptata) completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen. Moreover, it showed a very low minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Epicoccum nigrum, an endophyte that also showed high inhibitory activity and a low MIC against P. cinnamomi in those two experiments, provided a clear growth promotion effect when the extracts were applied to L. luteus seedlings. The extract of Fusarium avenaceum also manifested such a promotion effect and was the most effective in reducing the disease severity caused by the pathogen in lupine plants (73% reduction). Results demonstrated the inhibitory activity of the filtrates or extracts of these endophytes against P. cinnamomi. A better insight into the mechanisms involved may be gained by isolating and identifying the metabolites conferring this inhibitory effect against this oomycete pathogen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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12 pages, 1809 KiB  
Article
The Known Antimammalian and Insecticidal Alkaloids Are Not Responsible for the Antifungal Activity of Epichloë Endophytes
by Krishni Fernando, Priyanka Reddy, Simone Vassiliadis, German C. Spangenberg, Simone J. Rochfort and Kathryn M. Guthridge
Plants 2021, 10(11), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112486 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2281
Abstract
Asexual Epichloë sp. endophytes in association with pasture grasses produce agronomically important alkaloids (e.g., lolitrem B, epoxy-janthitrems, ergovaline, peramine, and lolines) that exhibit toxicity to grazing mammals and/or insect pests. Novel strains are primarily characterised for the presence of these compounds to ensure [...] Read more.
Asexual Epichloë sp. endophytes in association with pasture grasses produce agronomically important alkaloids (e.g., lolitrem B, epoxy-janthitrems, ergovaline, peramine, and lolines) that exhibit toxicity to grazing mammals and/or insect pests. Novel strains are primarily characterised for the presence of these compounds to ensure they are beneficial in an agronomical setting. Previous work identified endophyte strains that exhibit enhanced antifungal activity, which have the potential to improve pasture and turf quality as well as animal welfare through phytopathogen disease control. The contribution of endophyte-derived alkaloids to improving pasture and turf grass disease resistance has not been closely examined. To assess antifungal bioactivity, nine Epichloë related compounds, namely peramine hemisulfate, n-formylloline-d3, n-acetylloline hydrochloride, lolitrem B, janthitrem A, paxilline, terpendole E, terpendole C, and ergovaline, and four Claviceps purpurea ergot alkaloids, namely ergotamine, ergocornine, ergocryptine, and ergotaminine, were tested at concentrations higher than observed in planta in glasshouse and field settings using in vitro agar well diffusion assays against three common pasture and turf phytopathogens, namely Ceratobasidium sp., Drechslera sp., and Fusarium sp. Visual characterisation of bioactivity using pathogen growth area, mycelial density, and direction of growth indicated no inhibition of pathogen growth. This was confirmed by statistical analysis. The compounds responsible for antifungal bioactivity of Epichloë endophytes hence remain unknown and require further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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11 pages, 4652 KiB  
Article
Differential Tolerance to Calonectria pseudonaviculata of English Boxwood Plants Associated with the Complexity of Culturable Fungal and Bacterial Endophyte Communities
by Ping Kong, Melissa Sharifi, Adria Bordas and Chuanxue Hong
Plants 2021, 10(11), 2244; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112244 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2260
Abstract
Isolated boxwood endophytes have been demonstrated to effectively protect boxwood plants from infection by Calonectria pseudonaviculata (Cps). However, the roles of endophytes as communities in plant defense are not clear. Here, we demonstrated differential tolerance to Cps of English boxwood ( [...] Read more.
Isolated boxwood endophytes have been demonstrated to effectively protect boxwood plants from infection by Calonectria pseudonaviculata (Cps). However, the roles of endophytes as communities in plant defense are not clear. Here, we demonstrated differential tolerance to Cps of English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’), an iconic landscape plant and generally regarded as highly susceptible, and its link to endophyte complexity. Fifteen boxwood twig samples were collected in triplicates from three historic gardens—Colonial Williamsburg, George Washington’s Mount Vernon and River Farm, and Virginia Tech’s research farm in Virginia Beach in the summer and fall of 2019. A portion of individual samples was inoculated with Cps under controlled conditions. Significant differences in disease severity were observed among samples but not between the two seasons. Examining the endophyte cultures of the summer samples revealed that bacterial and fungal abundance was negatively and positively correlated with the disease severity. Nanopore metagenomics analysis on genomic DNA of the tolerant and susceptible group representatives confirmed the associations. Specifically, tolerant English boxwood plants had an endophyte community dominated by Bacilli and Betaproteobacteria, while susceptible ones had a distinct endophyte community dominated by Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and diverse fungi. These findings may lead to boxwood health management innovations—devising and utilizing cultural practices to manipulate and increase the abundance and performance of beneficial endophytes for enhanced boxwood resistance to Cps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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15 pages, 609 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Endophytic Activities of Beauveria bassiana on the Physiology, Growth, and Antioxidant Activities of Extracts of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
by Neo Macuphe, Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju and Felix Nchu
Plants 2021, 10(6), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061178 - 9 Jun 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5192
Abstract
Endophytic entomopathogens have growth promoting, nutrient fortifying, and anti-insect properties that could improve the yield and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Lactuca sativa is a vegetable crop with high demand; however, it is susceptible to aphid infestations. This study’s objectives were [...] Read more.
Endophytic entomopathogens have growth promoting, nutrient fortifying, and anti-insect properties that could improve the yield and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Lactuca sativa is a vegetable crop with high demand; however, it is susceptible to aphid infestations. This study’s objectives were to assess the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana (strain: SM3) (Bals.) Vuil. (Hypocreales) against Myzus persicae Sulzer, tissue colonization of lettuce by conidia of B. bassiana, as well as the effects of fungal inoculation on growth, tissue nutrient content, and proximate composition of the lettuce plants. Furthermore, the involvement of tissue nutrients in mediating the influence of endophytic fungus on the plant traits was examined. Insects and plants were exposed to four fungal conidial concentrations: 0, 1 × 106, 1 × 107 and 1 × 108 conidia mL−1 in an anti-insect bioassay and a greenhouse experiment, respectively. The B. bassiana strain was pathogenic against M. persicae, inducing mean insect mortality of 78% at the highest concentration (1 × 108 conidia mL−1). The B. bassiana endophytically colonized up to 76% of plants exposed to 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. Crown size and plant height varied significantly among treatments. However, the plant fresh and dry weights and nutrient elements N, P, K, Ca, and Mg did not vary significantly among treatments. Among the plant macronutrients assessed, only tissue carbon content was significantly (p < 0.01) affected by conidial treatments. The tissue C and Cu contents significantly correlated with the antioxidant capacity of the lettuce plants. Most of the micronutrients, viz. Mn, Fe, Cu, and B were remarkably higher (p < 0.05) in the fungus-treated plants than in the control plants. The antioxidant capacity (FRAP and TEAC) of plant extracts varied significantly (p < 0.001) among treatments, with the highest conidial treatment yielding the most increased antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the B. bassiana strain was endophytic to lettuce, pathogenic against M. persicae, and induced increased micro-nutrient tissue contents and antioxidant activities. This study demonstrated that B. bassiana could be potentially used in the biofortification of nutritive and medicinal qualities of plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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11 pages, 1481 KiB  
Article
Tremellomycetes Yeasts in Kernel Ecological Niche: Early Indicators of Enhanced Competitiveness of Endophytic and Mycoparasitic Symbionts against Wheat Pathobiota
by Vladimir Vujanovic
Plants 2021, 10(5), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050905 - 30 Apr 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3458
Abstract
Tremellomycetes rDNA sequences previously detected in wheat kernels by MiSeq were not reliably assigned to a genus or clade. From comparisons of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and subsequent phylogenetic analyses, the following three basidiomycetous yeasts were resolved and identified: Vishniacozymavictoriae [...] Read more.
Tremellomycetes rDNA sequences previously detected in wheat kernels by MiSeq were not reliably assigned to a genus or clade. From comparisons of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and subsequent phylogenetic analyses, the following three basidiomycetous yeasts were resolved and identified: Vishniacozymavictoriae, V. tephrensis, and an undescribed Vishniacozyma rDNA variant. The Vishniacozyma variant’s clade is evolutionarily close to, but phylogenetically distinct from, the V. carnescens clade. These three yeasts were discovered in wheat kernel samples from the Canadian prairies. Variations in relative Vishniacozyma species abundances coincided with altered wheat kernel weight, as well as host resistance to chemibiotrophic Tilletia (Common bunt—CB) and necrotrophic Fusarium (Fusarium head blight—FHB) pathogens. Wheat kernel weight was influenced by the coexistence of Vishniacozyma with endophytic plant growth-promoting and mycoparasitic biocontrol fungi that were acquired by plants. Kernels were coated with beneficial Penicillium endophyte and Sphaerodes mycoparasite, each of which had different influences on the wild yeast population. Its integral role in the kernel microbiome renders Vishniacozyma a measurable indicator of the microbiome–plant interaction. The ability of NGS technology to detect specific endophytic DNA variants and early changes in dynamics among symbionts within the kernel ecological niche enables the prediction of crop disease emergence, suggesting that advanced microbiological testing may be a potentially useful tool for both phytoprotection and more efficient wheat breeding programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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Review

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18 pages, 546 KiB  
Review
Metabolites Produced by Fungi against Fungal Phytopathogens: Review, Implementation and Perspectives
by Sara Rodrigo, Carlos García-Latorre and Oscar Santamaria
Plants 2022, 11(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010081 - 28 Dec 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4136
Abstract
Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant hosts, with many of these benefits associated with the protection of plants against fungal diseases. This fact could be used in the development of new bio-products that could gradually [...] Read more.
Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant hosts, with many of these benefits associated with the protection of plants against fungal diseases. This fact could be used in the development of new bio-products that could gradually reduce the need for chemical fungicides, which have been associated with multiple health and environmental problems. However, the utilization of the living organism may present several issues, such as an inconsistency in the results obtained and more complicated management and application, as fungal species are highly influenced by environmental conditions, the type of relationship with the plant host and interaction with other microorganisms. These issues could be addressed by using the bioactive compounds produced by the fungus, in cases where they were responsible for positive effects, instead of the living organism. Multiple bioactive compounds produced by fungal species, especially endophytes, with antifungal properties have been previously reported in the literature. However, despite the large amount of these metabolites and their potential, extensive in-field application on a large scale has not yet been implemented. In the present review, the main aspects explaining this limited implementation are analyzed, and the present and future perspectives for its development are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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20 pages, 420 KiB  
Review
Antagonism to Plant Pathogens by Epichloë Fungal Endophytes—A Review
by Stuart D. Card, Daniel A. Bastías and John R. Caradus
Plants 2021, 10(10), 1997; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10101997 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4670
Abstract
Epichloë is a genus of filamentous fungal endophytes that has co-evolved with cool-season grasses with which they form long-term, symbiotic associations. The most agriculturally important associations for pasture persistence for grazing livestock are those between asexual vertically transmitted Epichloë strains and the pasture [...] Read more.
Epichloë is a genus of filamentous fungal endophytes that has co-evolved with cool-season grasses with which they form long-term, symbiotic associations. The most agriculturally important associations for pasture persistence for grazing livestock are those between asexual vertically transmitted Epichloë strains and the pasture species, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue. The fungus confers additional traits to their host grasses including invertebrate pest deterrence and drought tolerance. Selected strains of these mutualistic endophytes have been developed into highly efficacious biocontrol products and are widely utilized within the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand for pasture persistence. Less publicized is the antagonism Epichloë endophytes display towards multiple species of saprophytic and pathogenic microbes. This opinion piece will review the current literature on antimicrobial properties exhibited by this genus of endophyte and discuss the reasons why this trait has historically remained a research curiosity rather than a trait of commercial significance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes against Plant Pathogenic Fungi)
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