Endophytic Fungi and Plant Stress Responses

Endophytic fungi inhabit the internal tissues of healthy plants without causing harm, forming intimate associations that can dramatically influence host resilience to environmental stresses. These beneficial organisms engage in biochemical and molecular dialogues with their hosts, modulating water and nutrient uptake, balancing ion concentrations and triggering defence pathways. Under drought or salinity, endophytes often enhance antioxidant enzyme activity, mitigating reactive oxygen species accumulation and maintaining membrane integrity. They can regulate phytohormone levels such as abscisic acid and gibberellins, adjusting stomatal behaviour and growth dynamics. In heat or cold stress, fungal metabolites may stabilise proteins and membranes, while under pathogen pressure, they prime immune responses through induced systemic resistance. Research across cereals, fruits and model species has revealed that endophytic colonisation can boost photosynthetic efficiency, osmolyte accumulation and nutrient acquisition, leading to improved yield and stress tolerance. As climate variability intensifies, leveraging these symbioses offers a sustainable route to crop resilience, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and supporting food security on a global scale.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Endophytic Fungi and Plant Stress Responses publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in endophytic fungi and plant stress responses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Endophytic fungus: A fungus living symbiotically within plant tissues without causing disease.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can damage cellular components under stress.

Antioxidant defence systems: Enzymatic and non-enzymatic processes that neutralise ROS to protect cells from oxidative damage.

Ion homeostasis: Regulation of ion uptake and distribution to maintain cellular balance under stress.

Phytohormones: Plant hormones such as abscisic acid and gibberellins that regulate growth and stress responses.

Osmolytes: Small organic compounds that accumulate in cells to balance osmotic pressure during drought or salinity.

References

1. Piriformospora indica culture filtrate application adds brilliance to the promoting effects of facility warming on winter jujube fruit ripening. Food Chemistry X (2024).
2. Serendipita indica mitigates drought-triggered oxidative burst in trifoliate orange by stimulating antioxidant defense systems. Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).
3. Growth-Promoting Endophytic Fungus (Stemphylium lycopersici) Ameliorates Salt Stress Tolerance in Maize by Balancing Ionic and Metabolic Status. Frontiers in Plant Science (2022).