Amelioration of drought stress adverse effect and mediating biochemical content of cabbage seedlings by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

Abstract

The goals of the study were to investigate the role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Bacillus megaterium TV-6D, Bacillus megaterium TV-20E, Peanibacillus polymyxa KIN-37, and combination of Bacillus megaterium TV-6D +Pantoea agglomerans RK-92+Brevibacillus choshiensis TV-53D) in alleviating the harmfull effects of drought stress in cabbage seedlings grown under different irrigation levels. For this popuse, a pot experiment was undertaken to determine the beneficial effect of PGPR on growth and physiological and biochemical properties of cabbage seedlings grown under various irrigation levels (I1, I2, I3 and I4) which was determined considering different ratios (100, 75, 50 and 25%) of evaporated water from the reduced pan. Experimental data showed an increase in growth parameters in PGPR treated plants when compared to untreated plants under stressed conditions. TV-6D and TV-6D+RK-92+TV-53D strains were found to mitigate drought stress tolerance in cabbage plants by accumulating antioxidant enzymes, osmolytes, hormone production, and decreased electrolyte leakage in PGPR treated plants under water deficit conditions. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers.