endophytic-fungi
Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that colonize plant tissues internally without causing visible disease, forming symbiotic relationships that span at least part of the fungal life cycle. These hidden partnerships are of significant interest to plant scientists because endophytes can enhance host growth, improve nutrient uptake, and bolster plant resilience against environmental stresses like drought. Understanding these relationships offers potential avenues for developing more stress-tolerant crops and uncovering the broader ecological roles of plant-associated microbial communities.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-05-08
Scientists discovered that a tropical fern hosts ten types of fungi living inside its tissues, and these fungi produce a rich mix of bioactive chemicals — some shared with the fern, others unique to the fungi — including one species with strong antibiotic activity against drug-resistant bacteria.
Ten genera of endophytic fungi were identified inside Tectaria coadunata using both physical examination and DNA-based methods, representing a highly diverse internal mycobiome for a fern.
Nine plant chemicals previously thought to belong to the fern were also found in its fungal tenants, suggesting the fungi may actually be the true producers of some 'plant' compounds.
Xylaria grammica showed the strongest antibiotic activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of just 15.63 µg/mL against both Bacillus subtilis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).