From Rhizosphere to Endosphere: Bacterial-Plant Symbiosis and Its Impact on Sustainable Agriculture

Recent findings and advancement in technologies in the field of plant–microbe interactions have led to deeper investigations on the role of soil and endophytic microbial communities in the growth and development of their respective host plants. The process of recruitment of the rhizospheric bacteria inside the host plant tissues through various active and passive passages is also an interesting and established phenomenon. The mutualistic relationship thus developed plays important role in shaping the functionalities of the host plant through different plant growth-promoting mechanisms such as auxin production, nitrogen fixation, and phosphorus solubilization. Nevertheless, these bacteria also enhance the stress tolerance capabilities of the host plant leading to their widespread utilization in sustainable agricultural practices. This chapter focuses on the role of the soil bacterial communities, their recruitment inside the host plants, and their further endophytic life and functionalities. Further, some of the recent applications of seed endophytic bacteria have also been discussed.