Fungi can help making agriculture more environmentally friendly and preventing hunger

The growing population is putting a lot of pressure on the environment as we need more food. That is why current agricultural practices aim at growing crops with high yields and quality while using less land.

These practices are unsustainable, as they damage the ecosystem and cause a health risk for humans.

To make #agriculture more environmentally friendly, microorganisms such as endophytic fungi can be used instead of chemicals to promote plant growth. Endophytic fungi live inside the plant and provide a symbiotic relationship with the plant, providing a safe home and nutrients.

They do this by

1. Improving uptake of nutrients

2. Producing plant hormones

3. Improving the self-defense system of plants

4. Protecting plants against pests and disease-causing organisms

5. Protecting against biotic and abiotic stress

Learn more about how fungi can help plants grow and make agriculture more sustainable:

https://medium.com/a-microbiome-scientist-at-large/how-fungi-can-help-plants-grow-and-make-agriculture-more-sustainable-bc126a1b7019

Some fungi are helpful for plants (Penicillium; credit: Kateryna Kon on Shutterstock)