ABSTRACT
With the escalating cost and pollution that results from the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, interest has increased to find alternative methods of fertilization and control of pests. Endophytes are microorganisms that reside within plant tissues without causing any harm to the plants. Bacterial endophytes are important components of sustainable agriculture because they play a significant role in promoting the growth of plants and because of their ability to produce a large array of agriculturally important metabolites. They can be exploited as cell factories for the synthesis of a large number of agriculturally important compounds, including plant hormones, enzymes, organic acids, antibiotics, siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, and antifungal metabolites. The chapter describes the various metabolites produced by endophytic bacteria and their role in sustainable agriculture.
