Abstract
We evaluated the effect of endobacteria Bacillus subtilis (strain 10–4) as a co-inoculant for promoting plant growth and redox metabolism in two contrasting genotypes of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat): Ekada70 (drought tolerant (DT)) and Salavat Yulaev (drought susceptible (DS)) in early stages of adaptation to drought (12% PEG–6000). Results revealed that drought reduced growth and dramatically augmented oxidative stress markers, i.e., hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). Furthermore, the depletion of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), accompanied by a significant activation of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), in both stressed wheat cultivars (which was more pronounced in DS genotype) was found. B. subtilis had a protective effect on growth and antioxidant status, wherein the stabilization of AsA and GSH levels was revealed. This was accompanied by a decrease of drought-caused APX and GR activation in DS plants, while in DT plants additional antioxidant accumulation and GR activation were observed. H2O2 and MDA were considerably reduced in both drought-stressed wheat genotypes because of the application of B. subtilis. Thus, the findings suggest the key roles in B. subtilis-mediated drought tolerance in DS cv. Salavat Yulaev and DT cv. Ekada70 played are AsA and GSH, respectively; which, in both cases, resulted in reduced cell oxidative damage and improved growth in seedlings under drought.
Highlights
Drought is one of the most dominant abiotic stresses hindering growth and yield in crop plants and affects about 64% of the world’s agricultural lands [1,2,3,4].Drought conditions impair the general metabolism of plants at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels, leading to growth inhibition
Analysis carried out in B. subtilis-treated wheat seeds three days post germination in the presence of 12% PEG–6000 revealed that drought significantly decreased the germination rate by 57% and 39%
A genotypic specificity of the responses of wheat genotypes contrasting in drought sensitivity to endobacteria B. subtilis inoculation under drought was revealed
Summary
Drought is one of the most dominant abiotic stresses hindering growth and yield (by up to 80%) in crop plants and affects about 64% of the world’s agricultural lands [1,2,3,4].Drought conditions impair the general metabolism of plants at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels, leading to growth inhibition. Plants are equipped with various defense systems to counter external threats, including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants [5,6]. Their protective effects are insufficient under severe drought conditions, resulting in significant yield losses in all types of crops, including such strategically important food cereals as bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This creates a natural demand for new approaches that enhance natural plant defense systems. The negative effects of abiotic stresses on plants, drought in particular, can be successfully overcome by plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), which are natural inhabitants of the rhizosphere soil [7,8,9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
