Endophytic Microbiome in the Carposphere and Its Importance in Fruit Physiology and Pathology

Each plant has a microbiome that is consisted of epiphytic and endophytic microbial communities. The plant microbiome may play a prominent role in different functions such as growth, disease, suppressing pathogens and potential influence of the physiology of reproductive plant organs (e.g., fruit). Endophytic microbiomes of any plant organs have mutualistic interaction between each other and functionally interact with each other in multiple ways. The distribution pattern of endophytic microbiota varies with each plant’s organs and largely depends on plant genotype (i.e., cultivar) developmental stages, growth condition, biotic and abiotic factors. The distribution pattern, as well as the potential utilization of endophytic microbiota that are associated with internal tissues for managing pre and postharvest pathogens, is discussed in this chapter.