Endophytic Fungi for Microbial Phytoremediation: Prospects for Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability

Owing to their ability to colonize plant tissues and metabolize a wide range of organic and inorganic toxic pollutants, endophytic fungi are a promising tool for environmental bioremediation. They reside within the living tissues of plants and have emerged as a promising group of organisms for mycoremediation, which involves using fungi to degrade and/or detoxify environmental pollutants, including organic and inorganic compounds and heavy metals. In the current years, the identification of endophytic fungi with mycoremediation potential has emerged as an area of focus. Researchers are exploring various plant species to isolate and identify endophytic fungi with the potential to degrade environmental pollutants. The use of molecular techniques and high-throughput screening methods has accelerated the identification of such fungi. Understanding the mechanisms by which endophytic fungi detoxify or degrade environmental pollutants is crucial for developing effective mycoremediation strategies. Overall, the field of endophytic fungi and their potential as mycoremediators is rapidly evolving, and there is significant potential for these organisms to play a critical role in developing sustainable environmental remediation strategies. In this chapter, attempts are being taken to explore the genetic and biochemical pathways involved in phytoremediation processes besides the potentials of endophytic fungi.