Research and Development of Cordyceps Resources from an Ecological Perspective

Cordyceps are medicinal and edible and promote human environmental health. They also play a role in the sustainable development of a green environment. Owing to their unique ecological biomes, Cordyceps produce a variety of value-added metabolites with specific functional regulation of complex microbial communities in the soil environment. The bioactive metabolites from the mycelia, spores, and fruit bodies of Cordyceps are regarded as important sources of natural medicines. Cordyceps have been shown to have biological control against several insect pests detrimental to plants (e.g., Carposina sasakii, Pieris rapae, and Plutella xylostella). With the application of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, large-scale biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including related genes, enzymes, and their biochemical pathways, will greatly promote the manipulation of their biosynthesis routes. Cordyceps can also be used as an endophytic fungus to promote the growth of a variety of plant species, improve plant stress resistance, and increase plant enzyme activity. In natural ecosystems, Cordyceps serve as important biocomponents to promote symbiosis, biogeochemical cycles (e.g., carbon and nitrogen), insect pest control, and plant growth protection.