Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Endophytic actinomycetes have been found in virtually all terrestrial plants, where they colonize the internal tissues of their host plant and establish a different type of relationship including symbiotic, mutualistic and commensalistic. Most of the endophytes appear to originate from the rhizosphere or phyllosphere, however some may be transmitted through the seed. Endophytic actinomycetes can act as plant growth promoting and antimicrobial agents. Endophytic actinomycetes can also be beneficial to their host by producing a range of natural products that could be harnessed for potential use in medicine, agriculture or industry. In addition they can be used for bioremediation of contaminated soils and play a role in soil fertility through phosphate solubilization and may act as biocontrol agents against phytopathogenic fungi.There is increasing interest in developing potential bioactive compounds which might prove promising sources of novel antibiotics and plant growth regulators.