Unravelling the Role of Endophytes in Micronutrient Uptake and Enhanced Crop Productivity

Endophytes belong to the domain of bacterial and fungal species that inhabit the host plant and associates symbiotically with plant tissue. The most common forms of endophytes are found to be associated with the species of Enterobacter, Colletotrichum, Phyllosticta, etc. Some of the potent methods of emerging sustainable agriculture to make sure enhancement in crop production having a minimal disturbance caused to environment are exploration of beneficial microbial interactions with plants. The endophytic interactions with plants are advantageous to both the host plant as well as for endophytic microorganism. The ecological and environmental conditions of the host plant significantly influence the associated endophytic population. Endophytes functions as plant growth promoters; enhance uptake of minerals and nutrients; restrict the survival of phytopathogens and increase plant tolerance to environmental stress. The study of functions and host-endophytic relations is important to focus on endophytic significance. Over recent years, substantial studies have been carried out based on their potential to produce valuable substances responsible to enhance plant growth, biocontrol potential as well as their sustenance in adverse environment. The present article focuses on understanding the taxonomy of endophytes and their functions in nutrient uptake and sustainable crop production.