Utilization of dark septate endophytes (DSE) to control pathogens causing diseases in various cultivated plants: a review

Background Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi characterized by sterile conidia, melanin pigment, and the formation of melanized structures such as intercellular hyphae and microsclerotia, enabling them to colonize plant roots. They exhibit a broad geographic distribution, spanning temperate forests, tropical to arctic regions, and mountainous ecosystems and are associated with approximately 600 plant species. Results DSE fungi have garnered attention for their potential as biocontrol agents against pathogens affecting numerous cultivated plants. Several DSE species, including Phialochepala fortini , Chadospora sp., Veronaeopsis simplex , Harpophora oryzae , Acrocalymma vagum , Pyrenochaetopsis terricola , Cladophialophora chaetospira , and Penicillium oxalicum , have been identified as effective biocontrol agents against diseases caused by Fusarium spp., Verticillium spp., Rigidoporus sp., Pyricularia sp., Ganoderma sp., and Colletotrichum sp. DSE fungi have ability to produce metabolite compounds. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth of plant pathogens. Conclusion Therefore, DSE fungi holds significant potential as an agent for controlling plant pathogens in various cultivated plants. Future study directions include (1) exploring, isolating, and identifying DSE strains antagonistic to pathogens affecting different plants from various ecosystems because the use of DSE as a biocontrol agent for plant pathogens is still limited, (2) investigating the impact of DSE fungi diversity on the production of antimicrobial compounds, and (3) exploring the synergistic effects of DSE consortia with other biocontrol agents in effectively managing diseases in various cultivated plants.