↵​Impact of A Selected Mycorrhizal Complex and A Rhizobacterial Species on Tomato Plants’ Growth under Water Stress Conditions

Abstract

Background: Plant strategies for adapting to drought could be improved by associations between plant roots and soil microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). In this study, the impact of a selected AMF complex and a selected PGPR species on the growth of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) under induced water stress was evaluated. Methods: Three different inoculation treatments were applied to tomato seedlings (a complex of AMF composed mainly of Glomus genus a Bacillus sp. PGPR treatment and a combination of both) and three different water levels (75%, 50% and 25% of field capacity). Result: A significant damaging impact of drought on tomato growth parameters and root mycorrhizal colonization, although the presence of microbes stimulated tomato plants growth and decreased the impact ofdrought stress. Indeed inoculated plants presented greater heights, fresh and dry weights, leaves number and area; greater water status; and greater proteins, sugars and chlorophylls contents either with the AMF complex or the Bacillus sp. in normal and drought stress conditions compared to the non-inoculated plants. However dual inoculation recorded the highest values under all water levels treatments.