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P. T. Lacava et al.
participate in the phosphorus cycle and facilitate the conversion of insoluble P to
soluble forms via the secretion of organic acids and phosphatases. In this way, they
make P available to the plant. Over the past two decades, much information on the
role of endophytes in nature has been collected. Their ability to colonize internal host
tissues has made endophytes valuable as a tool for improving crop performance. Most
studies on endophytes have been carried out using hosts from temperate countries,
but data from tropical regions remain scarce. Tropical plants host a great diversity
of endophytic microorganisms, many of which are not yet classified and possibly
belong to new genera and species. In this chapter, we focus on examples of endophytic microorganisms, especially those that have the potential to promote plant
growth through phosphate solubilization.
Keywords Biofertilizers · Endophytic microbes · Phosphate solubilization · Plant
growth promotion · Sustainable agriculture
9.1 Introduction
The significance of endophytic microorganisms for agricultural purposes has
increased recently, especially their use for pest and disease control (biological
control) and plant growth promotion (Vyas and Bansal 2018; Maheshwari and
Annapurna 2017; Gautam and Avasthi 2019). Endophytes promote plant growth
in many ways, such as by producing enzymes and hormones and acting against
phytopathogens via the production of siderophores, chitinolytic enzymes, or antibiotics; and solubilizing nutrients such as phosphates (Azevedo and Quecine 2019).
A large number of macronutrients and other minerals are required for the balanced
growth of the plants. One of them is Phosphorus. Phosphorus which promotes root
development, tillering, and early flowering and has a role in other functions such
as metabolic activities, particularly protein synthesis (Tanwar and Shaktawat 2003).
Phosphorus in soil is present in both inorganic and organic insoluble forms. Phosphate
solubilization by endophytes is an interesting component of plant growth promotion
because endophytic bacteria are compatible with host plants and can colonize the
tissues of host plants without being identified as phytopathogens (Rosenblueth and
Martínez-Romero 2006).
The interactions between endophytes and plants can promote plant health and
play a significant role in low-input sustainable agriculture for both food and nonfood
crops (Rai et al. 2014; Golinska et al. 2015). In the past two decades, large number
of publications have appeared on the role of endophytic microorganisms in nature
(Azevedo and Quecine 2019). The ability of endophytes to colonize internal host
plant tissues has made them valuable as a tool for improving crop performance
(Araújo et al. 2008).
The exploration of endophytes in unstudied hosts, such as tropical plants, is
important for assessing the potential of these microorganisms in different application areas and for identifying natural compounds that could be used in agriculture
P. T. Lacava et al.
participate in the phosphorus cycle and facilitate the conversion of insoluble P to
soluble forms via the secretion of organic acids and phosphatases. In this way, they
make P available to the plant. Over the past two decades, much information on the
role of endophytes in nature has been collected. Their ability to colonize internal host
tissues has made endophytes valuable as a tool for improving crop performance. Most
studies on endophytes have been carried out using hosts from temperate countries,
but data from tropical regions remain scarce. Tropical plants host a great diversity
of endophytic microorganisms, many of which are not yet classified and possibly
belong to new genera and species. In this chapter, we focus on examples of endophytic microorganisms, especially those that have the potential to promote plant
growth through phosphate solubilization.
Keywords Biofertilizers · Endophytic microbes · Phosphate solubilization · Plant
growth promotion · Sustainable agriculture
9.1 Introduction
The significance of endophytic microorganisms for agricultural purposes has
increased recently, especially their use for pest and disease control (biological
control) and plant growth promotion (Vyas and Bansal 2018; Maheshwari and
Annapurna 2017; Gautam and Avasthi 2019). Endophytes promote plant growth
in many ways, such as by producing enzymes and hormones and acting against
phytopathogens via the production of siderophores, chitinolytic enzymes, or antibiotics; and solubilizing nutrients such as phosphates (Azevedo and Quecine 2019).
A large number of macronutrients and other minerals are required for the balanced
growth of the plants. One of them is Phosphorus. Phosphorus which promotes root
development, tillering, and early flowering and has a role in other functions such
as metabolic activities, particularly protein synthesis (Tanwar and Shaktawat 2003).
Phosphorus in soil is present in both inorganic and organic insoluble forms. Phosphate
solubilization by endophytes is an interesting component of plant growth promotion
because endophytic bacteria are compatible with host plants and can colonize the
tissues of host plants without being identified as phytopathogens (Rosenblueth and
Martínez-Romero 2006).
The interactions between endophytes and plants can promote plant health and
play a significant role in low-input sustainable agriculture for both food and nonfood
crops (Rai et al. 2014; Golinska et al. 2015). In the past two decades, large number
of publications have appeared on the role of endophytic microorganisms in nature
(Azevedo and Quecine 2019). The ability of endophytes to colonize internal host
plant tissues has made them valuable as a tool for improving crop performance
(Araújo et al. 2008).
The exploration of endophytes in unstudied hosts, such as tropical plants, is
important for assessing the potential of these microorganisms in different application areas and for identifying natural compounds that could be used in agriculture