The Hidden World Inside Fungi
New discoveries are revealing the powerful role of tiny bacterial roommates inside our fungal friends. Think of fungi as cozy apartments, and these bacteria as the tenants. They live inside fungal tissues, sometimes helping their fungal hosts thrive and other times just freeloading. Scientists have known about this for over a century, but only recently have they started to realize how common and important endophytic partnerships are. These bacteria, called endofungal bacteria (EFB), are shaking up what we know about fungi. EFB can boost fungi’s ability to absorb nutrients, survive stress, and even fight off predators. They can also influence whether fungi are helpful (like aiding plant growth) or harmful (like causing infections) – and they have the potential to change agriculture, medicine, and more.
Endophytes and Their Reputation Problem
Often people hold negative beliefs towards endophytes due to potential impacts on animal health. Some endophytes, like the ones found in tall fescue or perennial ryegrass, make bioactive compounds that are toxic to animals. Bacteria, archaea or fungi found growing inside different plant tissues that leave the host unharmed, are called endophytes. Most plant species have these relationships. Endophytes are influenced by environmental factors, the host, and microbial genotypes, and nutrient exchange between the microbe and the host. The wide array of metabolites produced by endophytes have therapeutic potential for human health.
What We’ve Lost Through Modern Agriculture
You're probably not surprised to hear that essential endophytes have been reduced through domestication and industrial soil practices. To remedy losses it is possible using low-tech approaches to reintroduce endophytes found in soil and plant materials from wild relatives of the crop grown. These could be added as seed treatments, in composts and extracts.
Ancient Knowledge, Rediscovered
Many of our ancestors from across the world, harnessed the power of endophytes. These methods often used diverse plant materials, from locally adapted plants and ground them up, masticated or fermented into liquids before applying to seeds or seed beds. I love this quote from Dr Mary Lucero, one of the world's leaders in endophytes, who said:
“It took me thirty years of research and education in agriculture, biotechnology, and environment to arrive at conclusions our ancestors knew from birth.”
Learning to See the Invisible
Fungi and their bacterial roommates are a reminder of how interconnected life is. These tiny partnerships could lead to big breakthroughs in how we grow food, treat diseases, and understand ecosystems. There is a dizzying explosion of research happening in the microbial sphere, with the development of testing methods that can now detect the previously unseen. This can also create a space where you could be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed! Here is an opportunity to choose how you can learn and navigate with peace and ease.
Summary
In the end, fungi and their unseen partners remind us that life thrives through relationship. As science catches up with what many cultures have long understood, we are invited to move more gently—supporting the conditions that allow health to emerge rather than forcing outcomes. When we care for the living systems beneath our feet, even the smallest acts can restore balance, resilience, and connection across soil, plants, animals, and people.
Further Reading
Nicole Masters | Director | Author: "For the Love of Soil" - Now a #1 Best Seller on Amazon.com
