Zur Bedeutung pilzlicher Endophyten bei Waldbäumen

1998

S. 8-30

zahlr. Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200104823

In recent years, the presence of fungal endophytes in living, symptomless tissues of trees has been widely recognized. Although latent parasites and ubiquistic fungi such as certain epiphytes can also be isolated endophytically from living tissue, many other endophytic fungi are host and organ specific and apparently live in a mutualistic symbiosis with their host, providing protection against pathogenic fungi, insects and foraging animals. Some endophytes can act as weak parasites when tree vigour is reduced, but endophytic infection in trees is generally thought to be beneficial in most cases. This article presents an overview of the biology and life strategy of endophytes and gives a few examples of the interactions between these organisms and their host. Important aspects of future endophytic research are also discussed.