Endophytic microbe approaches in bioremediation of organic pollutants

Abstract Currently, pollution caused by organic contaminants is a global problem and there is an urgent need to explore new green and sustainable methods for the remediation of environmental pollutants. In this aspect, bioremediation technology has been considered as one of the most effective, low cost, and sustainable approach for the management of environmental pollutants of organic origin. From last few decades utilization or inoculation of endophytic microbial strains for the remediation of organic pollutants had been carried out in a regular manner for the management of various contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum products, oil spill, etc. During the long course of host plant and endophyte relationship at the polluted site, microbial endophytes not only help in mobilization of contaminants but also help in plant growth promotion as well as tolerance development against various biotic and abiotic stresses. The in-depth understanding of plant and endophyte association would help remediate the contaminated sites in an effective manner.