2007/11/27 by Robert P. Ryan, Kieran J. Germaine, Kieran Germaine +5 · 6 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis #Plant tissue culture and regeneration #Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.00918.x
openalex publication_date 2007/11/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Endophytic bacteria have been found in virtually every plant studied, where they colonize the internal tissues of their host plant and can form a range of different relationships including symbiotic, mutualistic, commensalistic and trophobiotic. Most endophytes appear to originate from the rhizosphere or phyllosphere; however, some may be transmitted through the seed. Endophytic bacteria can promote plant growth and yield and can act as biocontrol agents. Endophytes can also be beneficial to their host by producing a range of natural products that could be harnessed for potential use in medicine, agriculture or industry. In addition, it has been shown that they have the potential to remove soil contaminants by enhancing phytoremediation and may play a role in soil fertility through phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation. There is increasing interest in developing the potential biotechnological applications of endophytes for improving phytoremediation and the sustainable production of nonfood crops for biomass and biofuel production.