Research developments on the effects of grass – endophyte fungi symbiosis on soil physical and chemical properties and microbes

Grass-endophyte symbiosis can promote plant resistance for adversities, enhances agronomic traits, as well as reduces the feeding of herbivores. Underground processes are mainly altered through litter decomposition dynamics and roots exuding organic compounds that influence the underground biological processes. The effect of grass-endophyte symbiosis on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes varies depending on the type of grass, endophyte strain, and soil type. The effects on the physical properties of soil mainly relate to soil structure, and the effects on soil chemical composition are mainly reflected in the changes to soil carbon and nitrogen. The effects on soil biology were mainly observed in soil fungi, gram-negative bacteria, and nematodes. In this paper we reviewed the responses of grass-endophyte symbiosis on soil properties and functions to elucidate the mechanisms of interactions between grasses and microorganisms in the host soil habitat and their functions, to generate new knowledge for the discovery and development of novel endophytic grass cultivars. The aims are to (1) elucidate the mechanism and function of interaction between symbionts and microorganisms in host soil habitats, (2) to identify and develop novel grass-endophytic fungi symbionts and (3) to utilize these to alter the soil microenvironment, providing a theoretical basis for the discovery and development of new grass-endophytic fungal symbionts and the use of new grass-endophytic fungi symbiosis to change the soil microenvironment.