Elsevier

Microbiological Research

Volume 184, March 2016, Pages 13-24
Microbiological Research

Enhancement of drought stress tolerance in crops by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2015.12.003Get rights and content
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Abstract

Drought is one of the major constraints on agricultural productivity worldwide and is likely to further increase. Several adaptations and mitigation strategies are required to cope with drought stress. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could play a significant role in alleviation of drought stress in plants. These beneficial microorganisms colonize the rhizosphere/endo-rhizosphere of plants and impart drought tolerance by producing exopolysaccharides (EPS), phytohormones, 1-aminocyclopropane- 1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, volatile compounds, inducing accumulation of osmolytes, antioxidants, upregulation or down regulation of stress responsive genes and alteration in root morphology in acquisition of drought tolerance. The term Induced Systemic Tolerance (IST) was coined for physical and chemical changes induced by microorganisms in plants which results in enhanced tolerance to drought stresses. In the present review we elaborate on the role of PGPR in helping plants to cope with drought stress.

Abbreviations

PGPR
plant growth promoting rhizobacteria
PGPB
plant growth promoting bacteria
EPS
exopolysaccharides
ACC
1-aminocyclopropane- 1-carboxylate
IST
induced systemic tolerance
ROS
reactive oxygen species
NR
nitrate reductase
ABA
abscisic acid
IAA
indole -3-acetic acid
ACS
1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase
S-AdoMet
S-adenosylmethionine
PSB
phosphate solubilising bacteria
GB
glycine betine
RWC
relative water content
DMW
dry mater weight
LP
lipopolysaccharide–protein
PL
polysaccharide–lipid
RAS/RT
root adhering soil per root tissue
O2radical dot
superoxide anion radicals
H2O2
hydrogen peroxide
OH
hydroxyl radicals
1O2
singlet oxygen
RO
alkoxy radicals
SOD
superoxide dismutase
CAT
catalase
APX
ascorbate peroxidase
GR
glutathione reductase
GPX
glutathione peroxidase
MDA
malondialdehyde
ERD15
early response to dehydration 15
2D-PAGE
2-D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
DD-PCR
differential display polymerase chain reaction
RT-PCR
real-time PCR
AM
arbuscular mycorrhizal
Rubisco
ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxy/oxygenase
PGP
plant growth promoting

Keywords

Drought stress
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria
Induced Systemic tolerance
Adaptation
Mitigation

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