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Mechanisms of fungal
endophytes in plant protection against pathogens
Fu-kang Gao, Chuan-chao Dai* and Xiao-zhen Liu
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnology,
College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing,
Jiangsu Province, 210046, China.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
daichuanchao@njnu.edu.cn. Tel: 86-25-85891383. Fax:
86-25-85891526.
Accepted 24 June, 2010 |
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Fungal endophytes are a group of microorganism associated
with plant and have attracted a great interest to botanist,
microbiologist and ecologist. Since they have the ability to
benefit host plant growth and defense and can produce
various potential commercially valued secondary metabolites,
an increasing number of reports pay attention to endophytic
screening, identification and production. However, little is
known about the regulation of plant-fungal endophytes
interaction and how fungal endophytes protect plant from
pathogens. This review summarized current researches on
fungal endophytes as biocontrol agent against plant
pathogens and proposed that endophytes inhibit plant
pathogen mainly by inducing phytoalexins production and
ecological occupation.
Key words:
Fungal endophyte, pathogens, plant protection. |
