Bacteria isolated from dried tobacco to enhance drought tolerance in wheat.

ABSTRACT: Drought poses a major threat to global food security, reducing yields of staple crops such as wheat. Sustainable solutions to improve plant resilience are urgently needed. Tobacco is widely cultivated for cigarette production, but its dried leaves can also harbor thermotolerant bacterial strains with potential plant growth-promoting properties. This study aimed to evaluate the biostimulatory potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from dried tobacco leaves in enhancing drought tolerance in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Five bacterial strains were characterized for key PGP (plant growth-promoting) traits, including auxin production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and salt tolerance. In greenhouse experiments under controlled drought stress (100%, 75%, and 50% fie

SUBMITTER: Hoffmann A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12664851 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature