Investigation of biocontrol and biochemical capacities of endophytes isolated from Iranian wild strawberry

Fungal endophytes are symbiotic microorganisms that enhance plant growth and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses without causing disease. These fungi play an important role as biocontrol by producing secondary metabolites, antimicrobial compounds, and hydrolase enzymes in improving plant health and controlling plant pathogens. In the present study, wild strawberry plant from Ramsar forests, Iran were transferred to a greenhouse and fungi were isolated from different tissues and they were identified based on morphological characteristics. Their ability to grow under harsh conditions, including high salinity (different concentrations of NaCl), and different temperature and pH, was investigated. Biochemical characteristics such as the presence of some secondary metabolites and enzymes in these fungi were tested. Some fungal isolates with endophytic properties increased plant growth, while others had a negative effect on plant growth. Some of these isolates were able to inhibit the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani in strawberry and reduced the disease symptoms in this plant. This biocontrol feature could be due to the presence of secondary metabolites (flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, etc.) and enzymes (cellulase, pectinase, catalase, protease, etc.) in these fungi. Most of these fungi were able to grow at low temperatures (up to 0 degrees Celsius), acidic (4) to alkaline (11) pH and 2 M NaCl salinity. These findings indicate the high potential of fungal endophytes in sustainable agriculture and biotic stress management