Endophytic mycoflora of inner bark of Azadirachta indica A. Juss

摘要

Endophytes are microbes that colonize the living internal tissues of plants without causing any immediate overt negative effects. They are a largely unexplored component of biodiversity, especially in the tropics. Endophytic fungi have been isolated from leaves, stems and roots of woody plants in the temperate regions and the tropics. They have a protective role against insect herbivory and many are potential producers of novel antimicrobial secondary metabolites. Endophytes are constantly exposed tointergeneric-genetic exchange with the host plant. Isolation of a potent anticancer agent, taxol from Pestalotiopsis microspora, an endophyte of the yew tree and the phytohormone-producing fungus from rice plant, Gibberella fujikuroi suggests the potential of endophytes as a source of useful metabolites.