endophytic fungi are microorganisms that colonize plants during their entire, or a significant part of their life cycle without any symptoms, establishing a symbiosis association. They are abundant in plants and have been reported in various tissues, such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. In recent years, research on the beneficial use of endophytic fungi has increased worldwide. These fungi have the ability to protect plants from both biotic and abiotic stresses through different mechanisms. They also improve water and nutritional status leading to increased growth and fitness of host plants. Endophytes are rich sources of bioactive and secondary metabolites, making them promising candidates for the development of compounds with anticancer, antibiotic, antiviral, antidiabetic, and other pharmacological activities. Moreover, they produce various enzymes that hold economic and environmental potential for industrial applications. This study explored the diverse effects of endophytic fungi in agriculture, biofuels, medicine, industry and bioremediation.

endophytic fungi are commonly found in the root endosphere and can enhance plant growth through various mechanisms. This study aimed to isolate cultivable endophytic fungi associated with the roots of Tamarix ramosissima and evaluate their plant growth-promoting properties. Thirty-five fungal endophytes belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, representing four different genera, were obtained from the endosphere of T. ramosissima: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Talaromyces. These fungal endophytes showed different abilities to solubilize phosphate and produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The isolates of T. allahabadensis (T3) and A. niger (T4) showed different efficiencies in phosphate solubilization. Almost all fungal isolates produced IAA, with the highest concentration (0.699 µg/ml) found in the isolate of F. solani (T11). Among the tested endophytes, only A. fumigatus (T15) significantly increased wheat root length (75% increase vs control, p<0.05). The extensive root system of T. ramosissima may be due to symbiosis with IAA-producing endophytic fungi, which enhance root development and water uptake in dry conditions. Additionally, these fungi can increase soil phosphorus levels, further promoting plant growth. 

Unique benign endophytes from Ascomycets have wide distribution among grass species. The symbiotic fungi enhance plant characters including performance, insect and mammalian deterrence, nematode resistance and tolerance to drought, salt and other biotic and abiotic stresses. Endophytes from genus Neotyphodium (Acremonium) are of the major focus than their ancestors, and Epichloe species, because the formers have lost their sexual reproduction. Therefore they should be genetically stable, and most importantly, they cannot disassociate from host tissues, and are transferred vertically. They are maternally inherited and are therefore attractive for genetic transformation without the concern about gene escape. Some marker genes have been successfully transferred to endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum and Neotyphodium lolii existing in Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Lolium perenne L., respectively. Furthermore, gene silencing has been proved to be feasible for eliminating traits, which are economically harmful. Methods of direct DNA uptake using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and electroporation have been found to be useful in transformation of these fungi. Transgenic fungi can be reinserted into the host without need to tissue culture. The endophytic genes responsible for a specific trait can be isolated and transferred to grass species or other microorganisms for direct exploitation of secondary metabolites and endophytic enzymes. Considering advancements in this filed, endophytes can open new horizons faced to scientists and biotechnologist to use them as a surrogate target of transformation.