The use of endophytic bacteria is an emerging trend in agriculture since they
can promote plant growth under normal conditions and abiotic and biotic stresses. In
this regard, endophytic bacteria have been used to deal with the consequences of the
climate crisis in global crops, as alternatives to ecologically unsustainable chemical
pesticides and fertilizers. These bacteria can benefit plant growth by direct
mechanisms, such as hormone production and nutrient solubilization, and indirect
mechanisms, which involve protecting the plant against pathogens and suppressing
disease. Thus, this chapter aims to present the main mechanisms of plant growth
promotion by endophytic bacteria, focusing on the genetic and physiological processes
of biocontrol of pathogen growth and induction of systemic plant resistance. Genome
sequencing data from endophytic bacteria provide information about genes involved in
the synthesis of enzymes and antimicrobial compounds, such as siderophores and
hydrocyanic acid, among others. Furthermore, genetic pathways involved in plant
response induction were characterized using sequencing experiments and differential
RNA expression analysis. Jasmonic acid and salicylic acid biosynthesis genes are
differentially expressed in response to plant interaction with endophytic bacteria.
Therefore, data from the most current methodologies of genetic and molecular analysis
will be condensed here to provide an overview to respond to the question that heads the
chapter.
Keywords: Biotic stress, Bioinoculants, Endophytic bacteria.
