Progress of research on the interactions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, grass endophyte and plant pathogens in agro-ecosystem

Arbuscular myucorrhizal fungi (AMF), grass endophyte and plant pathogens are widely distributed in agro-ecosystems. Both AMF and grass endophyte could establish symbiosis with plants which could improve plant nutrient uptake, water absorption and enhance plant stress resistance, such as disease and drought stress. AMF could reduce plant disease incidence and disease index by a series of mechanisms including competing invading sites, nutrition and space with plant pathogens, consuming plant pathogens energy, improving plant water and nutrition efficiency and adjusting plant disease related proteins. Grass endophyte also could decrease plant disease incidence and the possible mechanism including excreting antimicrobial metabolites, inducing plant resistance and inhibiting medium of disease spread. The interactions of AMF and grass endophyte depended on plants and fungi which are mutual or antagonism. Research and utilization of AMF and grass endophyte are very important for improving and maintaining agro-ecosystem productivity and sustainability.