Effects of a maize root pest and fungal pathogen on entomopathogenic fungal rhizosphere colonization, endophytism and induction of plant hormones.

ABSTRACT. Some entomopathogenic fungi, such as Metarhizium spp. and Beauveria spp., closely interact with plants by colonizing the rhizosphere or growing endophytically inside root tissues. These characteristics increase the potential for endophytic entomopathogenic fungi to persist in the root system when used as biological control agents. The mechanism by which endophytic entomopathogenic fungi are capable to colonize the internal plant tissues is also influenced by plants and can be regarded as an adaptive protection acquired by plants against herbivorous insects.