Current Status and Case Studies on the Role of Endophytes in Insect Pest Management: A Review
Dwarka
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, College of Agriculture, Panna, Madhya Pradesh, 488001, India.
Anand Milan
Department of Plant Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, College of Agriculture, Panna, Madhya Pradesh, 488001, India.
Shobharam Thakur
AICRP on Oilseeds (Sesame & Niger), College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh- 472001, India.
Nisha Chadar *
Department of Botany, MCBU, Government Post Graduate Excellence College, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, 472001, India.
Aditya Kumar Sharma
Department of Agricultural Entomology, B.R.D. PG. College Deoria, DDU GKP University Gorakhpur, U.P.-274001, India.
Mitesh Makwana
Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, R.V.S.K.V.V., Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, 474002, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Endophytes, comprising diverse groups of bacteria and fungi that reside asymptomatically within plant tissues, have emerged as promising biological agents in sustainable insect pest management. These microorganisms establish mutualistic associations with host plants and confer protection against insect pests through multiple direct and indirect mechanisms. Recent advances in microbial ecology, molecular biology and biotechnology have significantly improved our understanding of endophyte-mediated resistance. Endophytic fungi, particularly entomopathogenic species, play a dual role by colonizing plant tissues and simultaneously acting against herbivorous insects. Their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, induce systemic resistance and enhance plant fitness makes them a viable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Numerous laboratory and field-based case studies have demonstrated their efficacy against a wide range of insect pests including aphids, borers, caterpillars and beetles. However, challenges such as inconsistent colonization, environmental variability, and limited commercialization still hinder their large-scale application. This review highlights the current status, mechanisms, and case studies of endophytes in insect pest management, emphasizing their potential integration into modern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
Keywords: Endophytes, biological control, Entomopathogenic fungi, insect pest management, secondary metabolites, induced resistance and sustainable agriculture