Abstract
Beneficial microbial endophytes increase productivity and induce stress tolerance, which could contribute to developing a low input and sustainable bioenergy crop production system. We tested for the first time, the effects of microbial endophytes on growth and leaf-level physiology of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) under a moderate drought preconditioning and a successive severe drought stress. Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN-inoculated switchgrass plants were 23.6% taller (p<0.0001) and possessed 116% more tillers (p<0.0001) during the moderate drought. Pre-drought conditioned PsJN-inoculated switchgrass had higher photosynthetic rates (Ps) at all levels of water stress; whereas, control switchgrass only benefited from pre-drought when leaf water potential (LWP) dropped below −1MPa. Both PsJN inoculation and drought stress accelerated the leaf senescence and the strain promoted tillering/height ratio, which indicated more rapid development. In sum, enhancement of drought tolerance of switchgrass by PsJN was indicated by this study.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.