Endophytic Fungi Are Multifunctional Biosynthesizers 51biotechnological sources (Strobel, 2003). Endophytes play important role as
safeguard to the plant host from pathogens such as insect pests and cattle and
predators (Azevedo et al., 2000). Moreover, endophytes increase the resistance
of plants versus abiotic and biotic stresses. Furthermore, they effect plant
growth directly or indirectly and can support the hosts with compound that are
released by fungi for accelerate the process of nutrient uptake in the
environment. The fungus Piriformospora indica increase the growth of
different hosts and which demonstrated its benefit for promotion for plant
growth (Varma et al., 1999). Besides, several endophytes isolated from
Eucalyptus were able to enhance growth of seedlings by preventing diseases in
the premature stages of plant development (Procopio, 2004). Moreover,
Romao et al., (2011) illustrated that, G. citricarpa release large amounts of
enzymes like pectinases, endoglucanases and amylases in contrast to G.
mangiferae which produces enzymes considered as the key in the
improvement of citrus black spot, such as pectin-lyases that degrade pectin
more effectively in the pathogenic strains.
On the other hand, a lot of studies proved the ability of endophytes to
control disease vectors and pests (Azevedo et al., 2000). The Basidiomycete
Moniliophtora perniciosa which caused witches (broom disease) of cacao is
considered the most important pathogen of this crop. Therefore, several
scientists have isolated and studied some fungi for their ability to inhibit it and
they found Gliocladium catenulatum which decrease the infection of disease in
cacao seedling to 70% (Rubini et al., 2005). Between the isolated fungi from
cacao, M. perniciosa was set colonizing healthy parenchymatic tissues and for
the first time proved that this fungus may be conducted as an endophyte (Lana
et al., 2011). Other scientists isolated Beauveria bassiana from maize (Zea
mays), which used to control the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). In
addation, a lot of laboratories isolated endophytic fungi that controlling
nematode and insects, these were isolated from plants hosts such as soybean,
maize and sugarcane (Stuart et al., 2010). Furthermore, from maize many of
isolated Beauveria strains were used against the insect pest Spodoptera
frugiperda. These endophytic Beauveria, related to the Beauveria bassiana
species; also, Beauveria amorpha able to control the bovine tick
Rhipicephalus microplus which are ectoparasite that make economic losses
because it caused toxicity and anemia to their host (Campos et al., 2010).
Moreover, from petrol-contaminated mangroves many endophytes were found
to be able to decrease oil contaminations.