Endophytic Fungi and Their Mechanisms in Improving Plant Resilience under Environmental Stresses

Environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and pathogenic pressure severely limit plant growth and agricultural productivity worldwide. In recent years, endophytic fungi have gained considerable attention as effective biological agents capable of enhancing plant tolerance to unfavorable environmental conditions. These microorganisms establish asymptomatic associations within plant tissues and promote host performance through a wide range of physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. This review summarizes the principal mechanisms by which endophytic fungi improve plant resilience, including root colonization, hormonal regulation, activation of antioxidant defense systems, and induction of systemic resistance. A better understanding of these mechanisms highlights the potential application of endophytic fungi as sustainable and eco-friendly tools for improving crop performance and stability under stress conditions, particularly in the context of climate change and resource-limited agriculture.

کلیدواژه ها:

Endophytic fungi ، Plant resilience ، Environmental stress ، Antioxidant systems ، Induced systemic resistance