Plant growth-promoting bacteria modulate metabolism and nitrogen accumulation to counteract drought damage in cactus pear plants.

ABSTRACT: Searching sustainable management techniques to enhance plant resistance to drought is crucial for agriculture in stressful scenarios. This study aimed to investigate the role of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) strains on forage cactus pear performance under drought. Trials were conducted in greenhouse using forage cactus plants in randomized block experimental design, 8 × 2 factorial scheme, consisting of eight inoculation treatments [inoculation with Paenibacillus sp. IPACC38 and IPACC55, and Bacillus subtilis IPACC29 strains combined with and without nitrogen (N) fertilization] and two water regimes [control at 50% field capacity (FC) and drought at 25% FC]. Drought significantly decreased plant growth across all treatments, regardless of N/inoculation treatment. The best performa

SUBMITTER: Dauala GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534562 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature