Endophytic Fungal Community Associated with Colombian Plants

Colombia is included in the group of megadiverse countries, and it possesses the second largest biodiversity in the world. However, the number of bacteria and fungi reported in Colombia seems to be a much lower amount than that was expected. The richness and abundance of microorganisms could make this country as a potential source for obtaining new microorganisms. Endophytes are microorganisms that are found within tissues of plants during at least part of their life cycle without causing disease under any known circumstances, and many of them are considered to be plant growth-promoting organisms. According to the abundant flora observed in Colombia, the search for microorganisms associated with plants (rhizospheres, endophytes, and epiphytes) furnishes a possibility of new fields of research that does not only allow to know its microbial biodiversity but also can also be seen as a source of microorganisms with potential discovery of new bioactive compounds and species that can be employed as biocontrol, as bioremediation, for the production of enzymes, and promotion of plant growth, among others. This chapter embodies endophytic fungi that have been isolated from plants grown in Colombia, emphasizing its biotechnological potential.