Bacterial Endophytic Approach in drought stress Alleviation and Plant Growth Promotion

Author: Nakul Kale, Earanna N. and Neekshitha Shetty

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Abstract

Drought stresses have significant impact on plant growth, from seed germination to seed set in plant life cycle. This results in wide range of both biochemical and physiological changes in plant, ultimately leading to reduced economic output. The endophytic bacteria which survive within plant tissues are the most appropriate technologies that can influence positively on plant growth and yield under drought conditions. These bacterial endophytes in plant tissues are known to release various phytochemicals that assist plant to withstand in harsh environmental conditions, here in this context its drought stress. In the present study, five bacterial endophytes viz., P7L1, P2L2, P6R1, P3L2 and P7R1 were evaluated for the plant growth promoting and drought stress alleviating traits under invitro condition. Among plant growth promoting traits, all the bacterial endophytes were able to produced phytohormones IAA, GA, ABA and SA, while only one P7L1 bacterial endophyte showed positive results for phosphate solubilization, potash solubilization and siderophore production. Similarly, all the isolates were analyzed for production of drought alleviating compounds like accumulation of proline, production of antioxidants, phenols and flavonoids, both under drought stress (matric induced water stress using PEG 8000 molecule) and without stress condition. Among all the bacterial isolates under study P7L1 and P7R1 were observed to combat the drought stress significantly.

Keywords

Bacterial endophytes, drought, phytohormones, antioxidant activity

Conclusion

Bacterial endophytes are widely known to impart abiotic stress tolerance in host plants. In this study, bacterial endophytes were able to produce growth hormones both under PEG induced stress and normal condition. Also, they were able to solubilize phosphate and produce siderophores. Further, they showed antioxidant activity and accumulated proline content in under drought stress. Overall, this study gives a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism involved in imparting drought tolerance in host plants by bacterial endophytes.

References

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How to cite this article

Nakul Kale, Earanna N. and Neekshitha Shetty (2023). Bacterial Endophytic Approach in drought stress Alleviation and Plant Growth Promotion. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(7): 15-20.