Properties of bacterial endophytes and their proposed role in plant growth

P.R. Hardoim, L.S. van Overbeek, J.D. van Elsas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1241 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Bacterial endophytes live inside plants for at least part of their life cycle. Studies of the interaction of endophytes with their host plants and their function within their hosts are important to address the ecological relevance of endophytes. The modulation of ethylene levels in plants by bacterially produced 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase is a key trait that enables interference with the physiology of the host plant. Endophytes with this capacity might profit from association with the plant, because colonization is enhanced. In turn, host plants benefit by stress reduction and increased root growth. This mechanism leads to the concept of `competent¿ endophytes, defined as endophytes that are equipped with genes important for maintenance of plant¿endophyte associations. The ecological role of these endophytes and their relevance for plant growth are discussed here
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)463-471
JournalTrends in Microbiology
Volume16
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Keywords

  • volatiles promote growth
  • phytofirmans strain psjn
  • vitis-vinifera l.
  • azoarcus sp
  • fluorescent pseudomonads
  • diazotrophic bacteria
  • microbe interactions
  • signal-transduction
  • root colonization
  • cultivated rice

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