Plant Abiotic and Biotic Stress Alleviation: From an Endophytic Microbial Perspective

Plant abiotic and biotic stresses can change plant-pest synergism by augmenting host plant vulnerability to pests and lessening competitive capability with weed plants. Climate change, such as a shift in precipitation, intensifies the damaging effects of stresses, undesirably impacting plant growth and survival. However, we have yet to reach a clear answer as the outcome usually depends on complex interactions and agro-climatic conditions. To alleviate plant stresses, more in-depth work is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and exploit thereof. In this review, we have confined ourselves to the domain of the role played by endophytic microorganisms to alleviate plant stress. In contrast, some biotic stresses may alter plant response to abiotic stress factors. Hence, methodical analyses are indispensable for understanding the effect of abiotic and biotic stress conditions on crop development and agronomic production. Endophytic microbes have drawn interest owing to their plant growth stimulating attributes and valuable performances related to plant responses under abiotic and biotic stress environments. Endophytes produce secondary metabolites to defend the host plant under stressful climatic conditions and against phytopathogens. Understanding plant resilience mechanisms will assist in the commercialized biotechnological development of endophytes in crop improvement. There is still much scope to explore factors and elucidate mechanisms that result in unquestionably recognized beneficial effects of endophytes. This review article bridges the gap mentioned and focuses on the role played by endophytes in plant development and their stimulating diverse mechanisms for tolerating diverse abiotic and biotic stresses in the host.