Modern horticultural crop production systems target the exploitation of sustainable techniques for crop improvement while maintaining balance with the environment. Several beneficial microbes have been investigated and have yielded remarkable results. The endophytic fungus, Piriformospora indica, is one microbe group with the potential to offer numerous benefits and opportunities in modern horticultural crop production. This plant growth-promoting mycorrhizal fungus is of particular interest due to its beneficial implications in plant growth and development. The fungus has been experimentally proven to significantly improve water and nutrient/mineral absorption, early flowering, seed production/germination and plant photosynthetic capability, growth rates; especially in nutrient-deprived soils, alter the production of secondary metabolites, and promote adaptation, tolerance and/or resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors. Its unique capability to be axenically cultured makes it feasible for research and application. These attributes in combinations with its broad host range, offer immense potential for this fungus for research in horticultural plant improvement. Thus, this review highlights the potential applications of P. indica in horticultural crops research and production.

现代园艺作物生产系统的目标是利用可持续技术改良作物，同时保持与环境的平衡。已经研究了几种有益的微生物，并产生了显着的结果。内生真菌印度梨形孢子虫，是一个微生物群体，有潜力在现代园艺作物生产中提供许多好处和机会。这种促进植物生长的菌根真菌由于其对植物生长和发育的有益影响而特别受到关注。实验证明，这种真菌可以显着改善水分和养分/矿物质的吸收，早期开花，种子的产生/发芽以及植物的光合能力，生长速度；特别是在营养缺乏的土壤中，改变次生代谢产物的产生，并促进对生物和非生物胁迫的适应性，耐受性和/或抗性。其独特的可进行无菌培养的能力使其可用于研究和应用。这些属性与广泛的宿主范围相结合，这种真菌为园艺植物改良研究提供了巨大的潜力。因此，本次审查着重介绍了P.籼稻在园艺作物的研究和生产。