Abstract
The inoculation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can significantly enhance its growth and yield in a sustainable manner. Drought tolerance is mediated by a combination of direct AMF and PGPR benefits that boost the plant’s natural ability to cope with stress, whereas drought mitigation is mediated by indirect AMF and PGPR benefits and increased water uptake. An experiment was carried out to demonstrate the interactive effects of AMF (Glomus mosseae) alone or in association with PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens) under water-stressed conditions in order to assess their biofertilizer efficiency. Accordingly, various morphological and biochemical parameters were studied, and the results suggested that all the co-inoculation treatments displayed beneficial effects. Still, the combination of G. mosseae + P. fluorescens showed the maximum increment in all the parameters considered, i.e., plant height and weight, leaves length and width, number of leaves per plant, specific leaf weight, relative leaf water content (RLWC), photosynthetic efficiency, seed length, width, and area, seed yield per plant, number of seeds per flower, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, flower and head diameter, harvest index, oil content, fatty acid composition (palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid), and total yield. The improvement in different parameters may be attributed to the increased availability of nutrients due to the symbiotic association of AMF and PGPR with plant roots along with enhanced root structures for more water absorption under stressed conditions. Therefore, the results suggested that they offer a promising bio-control strategy for crop protection as biofertilizers combined in one formulation.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilSunflower is one of the most valuable sources of edible oils known for its monounsaturated fats
Significant variations were observed among all the treatments (
We observed the positive effects of G. mosseae and P. fluorescens inoculation on seed characteristics as shown in Table 2, which were in agreement with the analysis of Arif et al [34] which revealed that the inoculated sunflower plants had a significantly higher number of seeds per flower in addition to improved structural features, i.e., length, width, and area of seed [34]
Summary
Introduction published maps and institutional affilSunflower is one of the most valuable sources of edible oils known for its monounsaturated fats. The oil content of about 36–52% and protein content of 28–32% are found in sunflower seeds [1]. It contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which renders them beneficial in averting heart diseases [2,3]. To enhance the productivity of this important oilseed crop, various biotic or abiotic factors that could affect its growth and development should be considered carefully. Drought (or water deficit) stress is one of these limiting abiotic factors that has received a lot of attention because it is the most likely constraint for agricultural productivity [4]. Water scarcity causes stomatal closure, which reduces CO2 influx, lowering photosynthetic activity and carbon partitioning [7], iations
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