Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Beauveria are recognized for their dual role as insect pathogens and plant endophytes, however the majority of research efforts to date have centered on B. bassiana. To address this bias, we evaluated the endophytic traits of five Beauveria species (B. bassiana, B. brongniartii, B. aranearum, B. amorpha, and B. velata) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Tomato seedlings were inoculated by root drenching with 1 × 10(8) conidia/mL suspensions, and colonization, plant growth, and resistance to Botrytis cinerea were assessed. All five species colonized tomato tissues, with colonization rates from 33.3% (B. velata) to 56.7% (B. brongniartii). Growth promotion was species dependent: B. bassiana, B. brongniartii, and B. aranearum significantly increased plant height, while B. brongniartii enhanced aboveground biomass. In pathogen assays, all Beauveria-treated plants showed reduced gray mold incidence and severity, with B. brongniartii conferring complete protection. Transcriptome analysis identified 160 differentially expressed genes commonly regulated, including 17 upregulated genes enriched in defense responses, hormone signaling, and photosynthesis. These findings demonstrate that non-B. bassiana species can establish endophytic associations, promote growth, and induce resistance in tomato, expanding the potential of Beauveria spp. as biocontrol agents in sustainable agriculture.