Endophytic microbial interaction with legume crop for developing resistance against nutrient stress

Abstract Plants require macro and micronutrients for their physiological function and development process. Deficiency of nutrients such as iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and potassium (K) is a major constraint in agricultural production. Plants have adapted to nutrient deficiency by using several strategies including morphological and physiological changes in plant root architecture through extensive root branching. In such nutrient deficient situations plants require higher nutrient acquisition. Under such nutrient deficiency condition, the presence of endophytic microbes (Bradyrhizobium sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, and Penicillium guanacastense) associated with plants that occur asymptomatically inside the plant organs and tissues, provide benefits to plant health by nutrient acquisition. Application of endophytes gives an impactful solution for management of nutrient deficiency and moves toward sustainability by preventing pollution caused due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers. This chapter illustrates the effect of nutrient deficiency and the role of endophytic microbes for its mitigation in legume crops.