The Role of Endophytic Insect-Pathogenic
Fungi in Biotic Stress Management
13
Imtiaz Ahmad, María del Mar Jiménez-Gasco, and
Mary E. Barbercheck
Abstract
A diverse beneficial microbial community inhabits soil, with fungi comprising a
major component. Fungi can establish in plants as endophytes and as a result,
these plant–fungal interactions are associated with different trade-offs. Endophytic insect-pathogenic fungi (EIPF) establish a unique association with plants
that can promote growth of host plants and can have detrimental effects on pest
insects. The mechanisms of plant growth promotion are diverse and include
nutrient exchange, plant defense modulation, and protection from pests and
diseases. There is increasing interest in understanding the potential for exploiting
EIPF to enhance plant productivity and tolerance to arthropod pests in agricultural systems, especially under changing climate conditions. EIPF mediate plant
defense signaling through crosstalk in phytohormone-based defense systems and
fine-tuning signaling pathways in the presence of stress. Secondary metabolites
and other compounds in root exudates can affect the fate of EIPF–plant–stress
interactions. Through these mechanisms, plants can fine-tune growth and defense
in a balanced manner. Developing a better understanding of the ecology and
biology of EIPF and their interactions with plants and arthropods will contribute
to the achievement of agricultural sustainability.
I. Ahmad (*) · M. E. Barbercheck
Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
e-mail: ixa12@psu.edu
M. M. Jiménez-Gasco
Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA, USA
# The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte
Ltd. 2020
B. Giri, M. P. Sharma (eds.), Plant Stress Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9380-2_13
379
Fungi in Biotic Stress Management
13
Imtiaz Ahmad, María del Mar Jiménez-Gasco, and
Mary E. Barbercheck
Abstract
A diverse beneficial microbial community inhabits soil, with fungi comprising a
major component. Fungi can establish in plants as endophytes and as a result,
these plant–fungal interactions are associated with different trade-offs. Endophytic insect-pathogenic fungi (EIPF) establish a unique association with plants
that can promote growth of host plants and can have detrimental effects on pest
insects. The mechanisms of plant growth promotion are diverse and include
nutrient exchange, plant defense modulation, and protection from pests and
diseases. There is increasing interest in understanding the potential for exploiting
EIPF to enhance plant productivity and tolerance to arthropod pests in agricultural systems, especially under changing climate conditions. EIPF mediate plant
defense signaling through crosstalk in phytohormone-based defense systems and
fine-tuning signaling pathways in the presence of stress. Secondary metabolites
and other compounds in root exudates can affect the fate of EIPF–plant–stress
interactions. Through these mechanisms, plants can fine-tune growth and defense
in a balanced manner. Developing a better understanding of the ecology and
biology of EIPF and their interactions with plants and arthropods will contribute
to the achievement of agricultural sustainability.
I. Ahmad (*) · M. E. Barbercheck
Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
e-mail: ixa12@psu.edu
M. M. Jiménez-Gasco
Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA, USA
# The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte
Ltd. 2020
B. Giri, M. P. Sharma (eds.), Plant Stress Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9380-2_13
379