Bacterial Endophytes: The Hidden Actor in Plant Immune Responses Against Biotic Stress

Abstract

Bacterial endophytes interact closely with plant tissues and constitute an essential part of the plant microbiome. These interactions can promote plant growth and elicit specific defense responses against abiotic stresses and pathogen attacks. In this paper, we review the role of endophytic bacteria in modulating defenses of the host rendering the entire plant more resistant to pathogens and pests. The endophyte-induced resistance will probably introduce a new factor when consid-ering plant-pathogen interactions. The impact of the bacterial endosymbionts on the host leading to the priming state is also discussed since it confers a specific adaptation of the plant to the biotic threat.