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Fungal Endophytes in Agriculture
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Fungal Endophytes in Agriculture

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2024) | Viewed by 6564

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Cristian Atala

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaiso 2340000, Chile
Interests: plant–fungi interactions; functional plant ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agriculture currently faces several challenges endangering food security, including an increased food demand, a reduction in arable land, climate change, pests, and desertification. We depend on agrochemicals and generic engineering to help crops cope with stressful conditions. However, there is a growing public awareness and opposition to some of these practices. This has led to the search for other, more environmentally friendly biotechnological tools to increase stress tolerance and productivity. In recent years, the fungal endophytes found in plants have received much attention as beneficial organisms that can increase plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. They can additionally establish successful associations with other plant species, including crops. Given the recent advancements in this area, the aim of this Special Issue is to demonstrate how fungal endophytes represent a key biotechnological tool for agriculture, especially considering the abovementioned global challenges, and the putative mechanisms involved in their ability to increase their hosts’ stress tolerance.

Possible topics:

  • Role of fungal endophytes in abiotic stress tolerance;
  • Fungal endophytes and their effect on plant defense mechanisms involved in the fungal endophyte–plant interaction;
  • Fungal endophytes for increasing crop productivity;
  • Public perception of fungal endophytes in agriculture.

Prof. Dr. Cristian Atala
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 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
  • biotechnological tools
  • stress tolerance
  • plant–fungi interactions
  • crops

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3313 KiB  
Article
Biocontrol Potential of Trichoderma Ghanense and Trichoderma Citrinoviride toward Pythium aphanidermatum
by Badriya Khalfan Al-Shuaibi, Elham Ahmed Kazerooni, Dua’a Al-Maqbali, Moza Al-Kharousi, Mohamed N. Al-Yahya’ei, Shah Hussain, Rethinasamy Velazhahan and Abdullah Mohammed Al-Sadi
J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040284 - 12 Apr 2024
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Pythium-induced damping-off of cucumber is a major constraint to cucumber production in different parts of the world. Although chemical fungicides are used for managing this disease, they have many drawbacks to the environment. The ability of the antagonistic fungi isolated from the [...] Read more.
Pythium-induced damping-off of cucumber is a major constraint to cucumber production in different parts of the world. Although chemical fungicides are used for managing this disease, they have many drawbacks to the environment. The ability of the antagonistic fungi isolated from the rhizosphere and endosphere of Dactyloctenium robecchii and Moraea sisyrinchium in the control of soilborne pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum was inspected. Native Trichoderma isolates, Trichoderma ghanense and Trichoderma citrinoviride, were isolated from plant stem and soil samples collected from Al-Seeb, Oman. Using a dual culture technique, the antagonistic activity of the fungal isolates against P. aphanidermatum was examined in vitro. Among Trichoderma isolates, T. ghanense was more efficient in restraining the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum, causing an inhibition percentage of 44.6%. Further, T. citrinoviride induced significantly lower cessation of P. aphanidermatum mycelial growth (31.3%). Microscopic and electrolyte leakage inspection of the pathogen mycelia depicted extreme morphological malformations in their mycelium, which can be attributed to the antifungal metabolites of antagonists. Greenhouse studies demonstrated the effectivity of T. ghanense in controlling Pythium damping-off of cucumber plants, where the number of surviving plants was over 90% when the biocontrol agents were used compared to 0 in the control plants. Furthermore, treatment of the plants with the antagonists promoted growth characteristics of plants compared to uninoculated plants. This included improvements in shoot and root lengths, leaf length and width, and dry weight. These findings suggest that T. ghanense and T. citrinoviride can be developed as alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides to manage soilborne pathogens of cucumber. This research is also the first to clarify the biocontrol ability of T. citrinoviride and T. ghanense against cucumber damping-off caused by P. aphanidermatum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes in Agriculture)
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19 pages, 3683 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Identification of Acer truncatum Endophytic Fungus Talaromyces verruculosus and Evaluation of Its Effects on Insoluble Phosphorus Absorption Capacity and Growth of Cucumber Seedlings
by Qingpan Zeng, Jiawei Dong, Xiaoru Lin, Xiaofu Zhou and Hongwei Xu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020136 - 08 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1117
Abstract
The symbiosis between endophytic fungi and plants can promote the absorption of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients by plants. Phosphorus is one of the indispensable nutrient elements for plant growth and development. However, the content of available phosphorus in soil is very [...] Read more.
The symbiosis between endophytic fungi and plants can promote the absorption of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients by plants. Phosphorus is one of the indispensable nutrient elements for plant growth and development. However, the content of available phosphorus in soil is very low, which limits the growth of plants. Phosphorus-soluble microorganisms can improve the utilization rate of insoluble phosphorus. In this study, Talaromyces verruculosus (T. verruculosus), a potential phosphorus-soluble fungus, was isolated from Acer truncatum, a plant with strong stress resistance, and its phosphorus-soluble ability in relation to cucumber seedlings under different treatment conditions was determined. In addition, the morphological, physiological, and biochemical indexes of the cucumber seedlings were assessed. The results show that T. verruculosus could solubilize tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and lecithin, and the solubilization effect of lecithin was higher than that of TCP. After the application of T. verruclosus, the leaf photosynthetic index increased significantly. The photosynthetic system damage caused by low phosphorus stress was alleviated, and the root morphological indexes of cucumber seedlings were increased. The plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area of cucumber seedlings treated with T. verruculosus were also significantly higher than those without treatment. Therefore, it was shown that T. verruculosus is a beneficial endophytic fungus that can promote plant growth and improve plant stress resistance. This study will provide a useful reference for further research on endophytic fungi to promote growth and improve plant stress resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes in Agriculture)
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28 pages, 2379 KiB  
Article
Fungal Endophytes: Discovering What Lies within Some of Canada’s Oldest and Most Resilient Grapevines
by Shawkat Ali, A. Harrison Wright, Joey B. Tanney, Justin B. Renaud and Mark W. Sumarah
J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020105 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1044
Abstract
Plant diseases and pests reduce crop yields, accounting for global crop losses of 30% to 50%. In conventional agricultural production systems, these losses are typically controlled by applying chemical pesticides. However, public pressure is mounting to curtail agrochemical use. In this context, employing [...] Read more.
Plant diseases and pests reduce crop yields, accounting for global crop losses of 30% to 50%. In conventional agricultural production systems, these losses are typically controlled by applying chemical pesticides. However, public pressure is mounting to curtail agrochemical use. In this context, employing beneficial endophytic microorganisms is an increasingly attractive alternative to the use of conventional chemical pesticides in agriculture. A multitude of fungal endophytes are naturally present in plants, producing enzymes, small peptides, and secondary metabolites due to their bioactivity, which can protect hosts from pathogens, pests, and abiotic stresses. The use of beneficial endophytic microorganisms in agriculture is an increasingly attractive alternative to conventional pesticides. The aim of this study was to characterize fungal endophytes isolated from apparently healthy, feral wine grapes in eastern Canada that have grown without agrochemical inputs for decades. Host plants ranged from unknown seedlings to long-lost cultivars not widely propagated since the 1800s. HPLC-MS was used to identify unique endophyte-derived chemical compounds in the host plants, while dual-culture competition assays showed a range in endophytes’ ability to suppress the mycelial growth of Botrytis, which is typically controlled in viticulture with pesticides. Twelve of the most promising fungal endophytes isolated were identified using multilocus sequencing and morphology, while DNA barcoding was employed to identify some of their host vines. These fungal endophyte isolates, which consisted of both known and putative novel strains, belonged to seven genera in six families and five orders of Ascomycota. Exploring the fungal endophytes in these specimens may yield clues to the vines’ survival and lead to the discovery of novel biocontrol agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes in Agriculture)
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19 pages, 8021 KiB  
Article
The Potential of Endophytic Fungi for Enhancing the Growth and Accumulation of Phenolic Compounds and Anthocyanin in Maled Phai Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
by Thanawan Gateta, Sabaiporn Nacoon, Wasan Seemakram, Jindarat Ekprasert, Piyada Theerakulpisut, Jirawat Sanitchon, Nakarin Suwannarach and Sophon Boonlue
J. Fungi 2023, 9(9), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090937 - 16 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1394
Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most popular cereal crops, being consumed by almost half of the world’s population. Among several cultivars widely distributed in Thailand, Maled Phai is a Thai pigmented-upland rice with exceptionally high nutritional value and high [...] Read more.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most popular cereal crops, being consumed by almost half of the world’s population. Among several cultivars widely distributed in Thailand, Maled Phai is a Thai pigmented-upland rice with exceptionally high nutritional value and high demand in the local Thai market. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of producing plant growth-promoting properties (PGP) and enhancing the accumulation of phytochemicals in Maled Phai rice seeds of endophytic fungi isolated from upland black rice. Among a total of 56 isolates, the 4 most effective PGP isolates were identified as Trichoderma zelobreve PBMP16, Talaromyces pinophilus PBMP28, Aspergillus flavus KKMP34, and Trichoderma sp. PBMP4 based on their morphological characteristics and multigene (ITS, rpb2, tef-1, CaM, and BenA) phylogenetic analyses. These four endophytic fungi could promote plant growth parameters under greenhouse conditions. Outstandingly, upland rice inoculated with Tr. zelobreve PBMP16 had a significant increase in total seed weight, root length, phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, antioxidants, and N uptake, which were higher than those of the noninoculated control, and even better than the chemical fertilizer. Overall, this report shows that endophytic fungi efficiently promoted growth and increased the phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, and antioxidants of Maled Phai rice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes in Agriculture)
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Review

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15 pages, 2018 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of Piriformospora indica in Improving Plant Growth and Stress Resistance to Plant
by Liang Li, Yu Feng, Fuyan Qi and Ruiying Hao
J. Fungi 2023, 9(10), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9100965 - 26 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1976
Abstract
Piriformospora indica (Serendipita indica), a mycorrhizal fungus, has garnered significant attention in recent decades owing to its distinctive capacity to stimulate plant growth and augment plant resilience against environmental stressors. As an axenically cultivable fungus, P. indica exhibits a remarkable ability [...] Read more.
Piriformospora indica (Serendipita indica), a mycorrhizal fungus, has garnered significant attention in recent decades owing to its distinctive capacity to stimulate plant growth and augment plant resilience against environmental stressors. As an axenically cultivable fungus, P. indica exhibits a remarkable ability to colonize varieties of plants and promote symbiotic processes by directly influencing nutrient acquisition and hormone metabolism. The interaction of plant and P. indica raises hormone production including ethylene (ET), jasmonic acid (JA), gibberellin (GA), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA), which also promotes root proliferation, facilitating improved nutrient acquisition, and subsequently leading to enhanced plant growth and productivity. Additionally, the plant defense system was employed by P. indica colonization and the defense genes associated with oxidation resistance were activated subsequently. This fungus-mediated defense response elicits an elevation in the enzyme activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and, finally, bolsters plant tolerance. Furthermore, P. indica colonization can initiate local and systemic immune responses against fungal and viral plant diseases through signal transduction mechanisms and RNA interference by regulating defense gene expression and sRNA secretion. Consequently, P. indica can serve diverse roles such as plant promoter, biofertilizer, bioprotectant, bioregulator, and bioactivator. A comprehensive review of recent literature will facilitate the elucidation of the mechanistic foundations underlying P. indica–crop interactions. Such discussions will significantly contribute to an in-depth comprehension of the interaction mechanisms, potential applications, and the consequential effects of P. indica on crop protection, enhancement, and sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Endophytes in Agriculture)
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