Triple functional roles of endophytic fungi in pest management: a systematic review

Abstract Background Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that live within plant tissues without causing disease symptoms, playing a crucial role in enhancing plant resistance against pathogens and insect pests while simultaneously promoting plant growth through various mechanisms. This systematic review analyzes 47 research articles published between 2020 and 2025, examining the role of endophytic fungi. The literature search was conducted in Scopus and PubMed databases using relevant keywords, initially yielding 2,730 records that were subsequently filtered based on four inclusion criteria: (i) Studies must examine interactions between endophytic fungi and plants; (ii) studies must include plant defense mechanisms induced by endophytic fungi; (iii) studies must demonstrate the fungi’s entomopathogenic capabilities; and (iv) studies must show the fungi’s ability to enhance plant growth. Results The analysis revealed that Beauveria bassiana was the most extensively studied endophytic fungus species (59.15% of studies), particularly in food crops such as rice, corn, and legumes. The most frequently reported plant resistance mechanisms involved activation of ISR/SAR pathways and increased production of defensive compounds. As entomopathogens, endophytes demonstrated high efficacy against target insects through cuticle colonization and toxin production, while their growth-promoting capabilities were evident through enhanced nutrient uptake and phytohormone production. A systemic approach that integrates all these aspects can provide more effective and sustainable pest control solutions, yet the percentage discussed in this study is still limited to only 21.27%, even though the integration of the three observation parameters is considered more strategic and efficient. However, endophytic fungi’s effectiveness was found to be highly dependent on environmental factors and plant genotype. Conclusion Although research on endophytic fungi continues to expand, integrative evaluations of their roles in plant defense, insect suppression, and growth enhancement remain limited.The study recommends: (1) exploring indigenous isolates from different ecosystems; (2) integrating multifunctional approaches using endophytic fungi; and (3) developing more stable bioformulations. These findings provide an important foundation for utilizing endophytic fungi as multifunctional biocontrol agents in sustainable agriculture.