Fungi and their Importance in Sustainable Agriculture

Soil fungi constitute a key component of agroecosystems because they provide green services that influence food and bio-product production. Entophytic fungi play a major role in growth promotion and relieve biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Phyto-hormones, antimicrobial agents, agrochemical bioactive metabolites produced by fungal endophytes enhance sustainable agriculture. Because of soaring cost and pollution-related issues, interest has shifted towards various methods like the use of biofertilizers and bioinsecticides to control pests. Biofertilizers and bioinsecticides are safe and cost-effective alternatives to chemical pesticides and are considered high potential fertilizers because of their wide range of plant growthpromoting activities. The present chapter describes the role of endophytic fungi in the agriculture sector.

Keywords: Fungal Endophytes, Phyto-hormones, Plant growth Promotion, Sustainable Agriculture.