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Fungal Endophyte Bioinoculants as a Green Alternative Towards Sustainable Agriculture

Summary

This research explores how beneficial fungi living inside plants (endophytes) can be used as natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. These fungi help plants grow better and stay healthy by providing nutrients, protecting against diseases, and helping plants cope with environmental stress. Impacts on everyday life: • More sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices • Safer food production with reduced chemical inputs • Better crop yields to help feed growing populations • Natural plant protection against diseases and environmental stress • Potential reduction in agricultural costs for farmers

Background

Over the past half century, limited use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and conservation of the environment and natural resources have become interdependent goals of sustainable agriculture. The conventional methods used for intensifying crop production based on excessive use of agrochemicals adversely affects ecosystem structure and function. Microbes and microbial products have emerged as a new frontier for fostering innovation and development of bioformulations for achieving ecological balance and sustainability.

Objective

This review aims to summarize the beneficial aspects associated with fungal endophytes for capitalizing agricultural outputs, catalog various multi-omics techniques for understanding and modulating the mechanism involved in endophytism, and examine the generation of new bioformulations for providing novel solutions for the enhancement of crop production.

Results

The review found that fungal endophytes confer various benefits to host plants including protection against pathogens, mineralization of essential nutrients, and promoting plant growth through production of bioactive metabolites, phytohormones, and volatile organic compounds. Modern biotechnology approaches have enhanced understanding of endophyte-plant interactions and enabled development of improved bioinoculant formulations.

Conclusion

Despite progress in understanding fungal microbiomes as bioinoculants, this remains an area under development. Future goals should focus on lab-to-land translation of plant-associated microbiome research, interdisciplinary studies, cross-training of scientists, and farmer education for successful adoption of these innovative technologies. Custom-prepared fungal inoculants show promise as an excellent consortium for improving crop productivity sustainably.
  • Published in:Heliyon,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19487
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