Endophytic fungi as natural agents for enhancing agricultural resilience in Galicia

Abstract

This thesis investigates culturable endophytic fungi in the roots of Brassica rapa and Capsicum annuum, two emblematic Galician crops certified under European quality schemes. The study characterized fungal diversity and evaluated its potential to enhance plant health through biocontrol and drought tolerance assays. Fungi from the genus Pseudopyrenochaeta exhibited strain specific and culture dependent antifungal activity, while other fungal isolates improved water retention capacity and plant biomass under water-stress conditions. Overall, the findings underscore the endophytic diversity of Galician crops as a promising resource for developing microbial inoculants that strengthen plant resilience, sustain productivity, and help preserve Galicia's agrifood heritage.