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Recent Advances and Developments in Bacterial Endophyte Identification and Application: A 20-Year Landscape Review

Summary

Bacterial endophytes are beneficial bacteria living inside plants that help them grow stronger, resist diseases, and even clean up polluted soil. Scientists have studied these helpful microbes for 20 years and discovered they can be identified using both traditional laboratory methods and advanced DNA technologies. These bacteria show promise for making farming more sustainable by reducing the need for chemical pesticides and helping crops survive droughts and other stressors.

Background

Bacterial endophytes are microorganisms that colonize internal plant tissues without causing harm, forming symbiotic relationships ranging from mutualism to commensalism. These microorganisms have been found in nearly all plant species and play critical roles in plant health and development.

Objective

This review synthesizes two decades of research (2004-2024) on bacterial endophyte identification and applications, highlighting advances in traditional culture-based techniques and modern omics approaches. The review emphasizes interactions between endophytes and host plants, including roles in biocontrol, phytoremediation, and nanoparticle biosynthesis.

Results

The review documents significant progress in characterizing cultivable bacterial endophytes, with common genera including Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Pantoea. Multi-omics integration has revealed novel metabolic pathways and plant-microbe communication systems, though challenges persist in accessing unculturable species and standardizing protocols.

Conclusion

Bacterial endophytes present viable paths toward sustainable agriculture through biocontrol, plant growth promotion, phytoremediation, and nanoparticle biosynthesis. Future research should employ cutting-edge multi-omics techniques and establish standardized frameworks to bridge laboratory discoveries with agricultural applications for enhanced crop resilience and food security.
  • Published in:Plants (Basel),
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40872129, DOI: 10.3390/plants14162506
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