The potential of bacterial endophytes on orchids

Abstract

Orchids are one of the most exquisite and diverse plant species in nature. The seeds of orchids are non-endospermic and, therefore, dependent on endophytes for germination, growth, and adaptability. Orchids are prized for their beauty and therapeutic and culinary qualities by naturalists and the general public. Many orchid species are now endangered or vulnerable due to collectors' eagerness to take them. Current studies on orchids have concentrated on isolating and identifying the mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal endophytes that either directly or indirectly help orchids to grow, develop, and produce beneficial secondary metabolites. In orchids, bacterial endophytes play an essential role in the formation of mycorrhizae and the stability of relationships between plants and fungi. Endophytic bacteria can grow in orchids by producing phytohormones, doing photosynthesis, fixing nitrogen, promoting the mineral nutrition cycle, forming siderophores, and producing diverse beneficial metabolites to improve biomass production, stress tolerance, and biocontrol of potential phytopathogenic fungal species. This article examines how endophytic bacteria are associated with orchids and their potential growth-promoting abilities.