Identification of beneficial Lebanese spp. wheat endophytes.

Wheat is one of the most important crops in the world. Its production can be influenced by a diversity of beneficial and pathogenic rhizospheric microbes, including fungi. Amongst them, beneficial spp. can be used as alternatives to chemical fertilizers, as they are cheap and harmless to the environment. Our study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize spp. from Lebanon associated with wheat. Two strains belonging to , and species, were isolated and found to be endophytes, enhancing root growth and producing Indole-3-acetic acid. Inoculation also improved seedling development, and increased plant growth and yield. Furthermore, the two strains inhibit Fusarium growth . These spp. have thus the capacity to be used as organic fertilizers for wheat.