Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 99-108 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 106 The diversity of fungal endophytes in wild wheat ancestors such as Triticum dicoccoides and Aegilops sharonensis has been found to be significantly higher than in domesticated wheat, with many unique taxa that are not present in modern wheat varieties. This suggests that wild relatives of wheat harbor a wealth of untapped genetic resources that could be harnessed for crop improvement. The identification of these diverse endophytic communities through both cultivation-dependent and independent methods provides a comprehensive understanding of the endophytic landscape and its potential benefits. The study of endophytic bacterial microbiomes in wheat has revealed that different plant organs host distinct microbial communities, which can influence plant health and stress responses (Žiarovská et al., 2020). This highlights the need for a more detailed investigation into the tissue-specific interactions between endophytes and their host plants, as well as the factors that influence the assembly and succession of these microbial communities (Latz et al., 2020). 8.2 Integration with modern breeding programs The integration of endophyte research with modern wheat breeding programs presents a promising avenue for developing more resilient and high-performing wheat varieties. The genetic diversity found in wild relatives of wheat, such as Aegilops and Triticum species, offers a valuable gene pool for breeders to tap into (Pour-Aboughadareh et al., 2021). By incorporating beneficial endophytes from these wild relatives into breeding programs, it is possible to enhance the stress tolerance and overall performance of domesticated wheat. One approach to achieving this integration is through the identification and selection of endophytes that confer specific beneficial traits, such as drought tolerance or disease resistance. For example, certain fungal endophytes have been shown to improve agronomic traits in cultivated barley, suggesting that similar benefits could be achieved in wheat. Additionally, the study of seed transmission modes and the factors influencing endophyte community composition can inform strategies for ensuring the stable inheritance of beneficial endophytes in new wheat varieties (Sharon et al., 2023). Advances in genetic and biotechnological tools can facilitate the precise manipulation of endophytic communities to enhance their beneficial effects. For instance, next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses can be used to identify core microbiomes and key functional taxa that are associated with improved plant performance (Kuźniar et al., 2019). By leveraging these tools, breeders can develop targeted strategies for incorporating beneficial endophytes into wheat breeding programs, ultimately leading to the development of more resilient and productive wheat varieties. Acknowledgments We appreciate Mr.W. Wang's help in collecting literature and participating in discussions during the research process. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Bredow C., Azevedo J., Pamphile J., Mangolin C., and Rhoden, S., 2015, In silico analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of endophytic bacteria, isolated from the aerial parts and seeds of important agricultural crops, Genetics and Molecular Research, 14(3): 9703-9721. https://doi.org/10.4238/2015.August.19.3 Caradus J., and Johnson L., 2020, Epichloë fungal endophytes-from a biological curiosity in wild grasses to an essential component of resilient high performing ryegrass and fescue pastures, Journal of Fungi, 6(4): 322. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6040322 Chaudhary P., Agri U., Chaudhary A., Kumar A., and Kumar G., 2022, Endophytes and their potential in biotic stress management and crop production, Frontiers in Microbiology, 13: 933017. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.933017
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