Endophytes for Sustainable Sugar Beet Production

Abstract

Endophytes live inside the plant in a non-pathogenic way and develop a mutualistic relationship. Endophytes help in the adaptation of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. They produce secondary metabolites, which protect plants against pathogens and pests. Some endophytes produce growth hormones like IAA, ethylene, and cytokinin. These microbes can be used in sustainable agricultural practices as this improves the crop yield without harming the environment. Manipulating bacterial populations in soils and within crops will be crucial if endophytes are to be utilized in crop production systems. However, their role in plant-stress tolerance and nutrient accumulation is not much explored. Hence, the study of endophytes and their compounds in crop production and protection is needed in the present scenario of environmental pollution and climate change. Different parts of the sugar beet are host to an abundance of endophytes. Both seeds and soil provide specific beneficial bacteria for rhizosphere assembly and microbiota-mediated pathogen tolerance. This can be translated into microbiome management strategies for the sugar beet and ecosystem health. This chapter explains the endophytes, their analysis, factors affecting their growth in general, entry mechanism, growth-promoting abilities, and diversity of endophytes with respect to the sugar beet crop.