Abstract

In this chapter we review the current advances in bioprospection, ecology, diversity, and potential applications on endophytic fungi (endobiomes) These fungi associated with endemic plant species of Chile or economically important crops in agroforest ecosystems. Chile has many endemic species, as it is considered a biogeographical island, i.e. it borders in the north to the hyper arid Atacama Desert, in the east to the high mountains of the Andes, in the west to the Pacific Ocean, and in the south to the freezing Antarctic continent. It features one of Earth’s most spectacular ecological, topographic, and climate gradients that encompasses a multiplicity of “field laboratories.” Its biodiversity is recognized as an important hot spot, and is the focus of many studies and conservation efforts, due to a high degree of endemism and uniqueness. The necessity to perform research on endophytic fungi is of significant relevance as it directly contributes to the conservation of endophytic fungi biodiversity, and gives insight host–endophyte interactions, especially in different environmental gradients. Additionally, these studies can open the doors to a wide range of potential uses and/or modulations of endophytic fungal microbiomes with the aim to enhance the health and productivity of plants in agricultural and forestry, e.g. the endophytic fungi could promote plant growth or biologically control diseases caused by phytopathogenic microorganisms. These endophytic fungi also represent a valuable bioresource for prospecting secondary metabolites for biotechnological purposes. In Chile, bioprospecting studies on endophytic fungi are just as scarce as the ecological studies on them, however, the few that have been conducted show very promosing results. This highlights the need to thoroughly study endophytic fungus, and conserve its unique and extreme ecosystems in Chile.