fungal-endophytes
Fungal endophytes are fungi that live within plant tissues for part or all of their life cycle without causing apparent disease, forming intimate associations with their hosts. These relationships can confer significant benefits to plants, including enhanced stress tolerance, improved nutrient uptake, and increased resistance to pathogens and herbivores. Understanding fungal endophyte communities is a growing area of plant science research, as these hidden symbionts may play crucial roles in plant health, ecosystem dynamics, and potential agricultural applications.
PubMed · 2026-04-03
A fungus that lives inside plants can produce jasmonic acid, a key hormone plants use to defend themselves against insects and disease. This discovery suggests the fungus may help boost plant immunity from within.
The fungus Cyanodermella asteris produces jasmonic acid, confirmed by two independent chemical detection methods (LC-MS/MS and NMR).
Jasmonic acid production was not boosted by adding linolenic acid (the usual plant precursor), suggesting the fungus uses a different or novel biosynthetic route.
The fungus restored normal growth and defense responses in jasmonic-acid-deficient mutant plants, demonstrating functional complementation of plant hormone deficiency.
