A Thorough Comprehension of Host Endophytic Interaction Entailing the Biospherical Benefits: A Metabolomic Perspective

Abstract

Endophytism is the phenomenon of in planta residency and mutualistic association of microbes with hosts without causing any disease symptoms. The multifaceted attributes of endophytes include plant growth promotion as well as resistance of the host to several forms of abiotic or biotic stresses. Moreover, endophytes are reported to manipulate the rhizospheric microbiota as well as the microbiota present within plants so as to amplify the host beneficial mechanisms. Endophyte mediated host beneficial traits become far more significant owing to the differential recruitment of endophytes by host under varying root exudate profile, host’s age, as well as host-endophyte compatibility. However, in spite of such beneficial attributes, our understanding of endophytes is still quite limited and inadequate. Thus, the true potential of endophytes can be particularly harnessed when we gain a thorough insight on the molecular mechanisms responsible for mutualistic host-endophyte interaction. In this chapter, we present an exhaustive investigation of endophyte-plant interaction, beginning from chemotactic attraction of the supposed endophytic microflora from soil to establishment of endophytism. We will also focus on the endophyte-directed metabolite biosynthesis aiding in effective host functioning. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.