Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 226-235 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 233 utilizing advanced 'omic' technologies to explore the genetic and metabolic pathways involved. Additionally, there is a need to investigate the impact of modern agricultural practices on endophyte diversity and to develop strategies for mitigating any negative effects. Conservation efforts should prioritize the protection of wild relatives of crop species, as they are valuable sources of diverse and beneficial endophytes. Implementing organic farming practices that enhance microbial diversity and abundance can also be beneficial. Finally, the development of bioinoculants and biocontrol agents based on endophytic microbes should be pursued to promote sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. Acknowledgments We are grateful to Pro. Wenzhong Huang for their assistance with the literature collection and helpful discussions during the course of this research. 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 Babalola O.O., Fadiji A.E., and Ayangbenro A.S., 2020, Shotgun metagenomic data of root endophytic microbiome of maize (Zeamays L.), Data in Brief, 2020: 31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.105893 Caradus J.R., and Johnson L.J., 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 Cai Y.F., Chen B., Hou J.F., Zhao F.C., Wang G.Y., and Cai R.X., 2024, Genetic structure and diversity in Zea genus: implications for conservation and breeding, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(2): 70-79. https://doi.org/10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0008 Chitnis V., Suryanarayanan T., Nataraja K., Prasad S., Oelmüller R., and Shaanker R., 2020, Fungal endophyte-mediated crop improvement: the way ahead, Frontiers in Plant Science, 11: 561007. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.561007 Chowdhury S., Lata R., Kharwar R.N., and Gond S.K., 2019, Microbial endophytes of maize seeds and their application in crop improvements, Seed Endophytes, 2019: 449-463. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10504-4_21 Díaz-González S., Marín P., Sánchez R., Arribas C., Kruse J., González-Melendi P., Brunner F., and Sacristán S., 2020, Mutualistic fungal endophyte Colletotrichumtofieldiae ct0861 colonizes and increases growth and yield of maize and tomato plants, Agronomy, 10(10): 1493. https://doi.org/10.3390/AGRONOMY10101493 Eevers N., Gielen M., Sánchez-López A., Jaspers S., White J., Vangronsveld J., and Weyens N., 2015, Optimization of isolation and cultivation of bacterial endophytes through addition of plant extract to nutrient media, Microbial Biotechnology, 8:707-715. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.12291 Fernández A., León-Lobos P., Contreras S., Ovalle J.S., Walt K., and Ballesteros D., 2023, The potential impacts of climate change on ex situ conservation options for recalcitrant-seeded species, Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 6: 1110431. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2023.1110431 Franić I., Eschen R., Allan E., Hartmann M., Schneider S., and Prospero S., 2020, Drivers of richness and community composition of fungal endophytes of tree seeds, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 96(9): fiaa166. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiaa166 Geisen S., Kostenko O., Cnossen M., Hooven F., Vreš B., and Putten W., 2017, Seed and root endophytic fungi in a range expanding and a related plant species, Frontiers in Microbiology, 8: 1645. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01645 Gerna D., Clara D., Allwardt D., Mitter B., and Roach T., 2022, Tailored media are key to unlocking the diversity of endophytic bacteria in distinct compartments of germinating seeds, Microbiology Spectrum, 10(4): e00172-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.00172-22. Johnston-Monje D., and Raizada M., 2011, Conservation and diversity of seed associated endophytes in zea across boundaries of evolution ethnography and ecology, PLoS ONE, 6(6): e20396. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0020396 Johnston-Monje D., Mousa W.K., Lazarovits G., and Raizada M.N., 2014, Impact of swapping soils on the endophytic bacterial communities of pre-domesticated ancient and modern maize, BMC Plant Biology, 14: 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-014-0233-3
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