Management of phytoplasma-associated diseases: Potential of the endomicrosphere in host plants

Phytoplasma are plant pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting in the phloem tissue. These mollicutes affect the plant physiology and induces malformations resulting in economic losses in crop plants. Management options for phytoplasma infection are limited due to difficulty in trials of drugs due to the still not extensively applied cultivation in artificial media. Endophytes are ubiquitously present throughout the plant tissues. Several of them are known to improve plant growth and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Use of endophytes in disease management of pathogens colonizing the plant interior was proved promising. Various studies have shown influence of phytoplasma infections in the distribution of endophytic bacterial communities and vice versa. Reports on endophyte transmission by hemipterans leafhopper vectors throw light on potential manipulation of phytoplasma transmission. Thus better understanding of occurrence and interactions of phytoplasmas and suggest endophytes in the plants future gives prospects for management of these pathogens.