Coffee-Associated Endophytes: Plant Growth Promotion and Crop Protection
Suhail Asad,
Alviti Kankanamalage Hasith Priyashantha,
Saowaluck Tibpromma,
Yinling Luo,
Jianqiang Zhang,
Zhuqing Fan,
Likun Zhao,
Ke Shen,
Chen Niu,
Li Lu,
Itthayakorn Promputtha,
Samantha C. Karunarathna
Affiliations
Suhail Asad
School of Biology and Chemistry, Pu’er University, Pu’er 665000, China
Alviti Kankanamalage Hasith Priyashantha
Independent Researcher, Gampaha District, Nittambuwa 11880, Sri Lanka
Saowaluck Tibpromma
Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China
Yinling Luo
School of Biology and Chemistry, Pu’er University, Pu’er 665000, China
Jianqiang Zhang
School of Biology and Chemistry, Pu’er University, Pu’er 665000, China
Zhuqing Fan
School of Biology and Chemistry, Pu’er University, Pu’er 665000, China
Likun Zhao
School of Biology and Chemistry, Pu’er University, Pu’er 665000, China
Ke Shen
School of Biology and Chemistry, Pu’er University, Pu’er 665000, China
Chen Niu
Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences, Haikou 570100, China
Li Lu
Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China
Itthayakorn Promputtha
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Samantha C. Karunarathna
Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China
Endophytic microbes are a ubiquitous group of plant-associated communities that colonize the intercellular or intracellular host tissues while providing numerous beneficial effects to the plants. All the plant species are thought to be associated with endophytes, majorly constituted with bacteria and fungi. During the last two decades, there has been a considerable movement toward the study of endophytes associated with coffee plants. In this review, the main consideration is given to address the coffee-associated endophytic bacteria and fungi, particularly their action on plant growth promotion and the biocontrol of pests. In addition, we sought to identify and analyze the gaps in the available research. Additionally, the potential of endophytes to improve the quality of coffee seeds is briefly discussed. Even though there are limited studies on the subject, the potentiality of coffee endophytes in plant growth promotion through enhancing nitrogen fixation, availability of minerals, nutrient absorption, secretion of phytohormones, and other bioactive metabolites has been well recognized. Further, the antagonistic effect against various coffee pathogenic bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and also insect pests leads to the protection of the crop. Furthermore, it is recognized that endophytes enhance the sensory characteristics of coffee as a new field of study.
