Evaluating the Efficacy of Endophytic Fungal Compounds as Biopesticides in Agriculture.

Abstract

Substantial losses in agriculture due to plant diseases, pests, and weeds have made the use of pesticides indispensable. Chemical interventions raise environmental concerns, and the increasing evolution and spread of resistance of these agricultural pests to commercially available products highlight the urgency of finding new alternatives. Endophytic fungi from different environments have emerged as a promising source of bioactive compounds with pesticidal properties. Their potential to protect crops and livestock makes them greener and safer allies than many currently used synthetic pesticides in controlling pests. In this chapter, we discuss compounds with fungicidal, insecticidal, nematicidal, acaricidal, and herbicidal activity produced by endophytic fungi, revealing vast pesticide potential to be explored.