Drought Stress Alleviation by ACC Deaminase Producing Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Enterobacter cloacae, with and without Timber Waste Biochar in Maize

Abstract

The high consumption of water in industries, domestic areas and increasing earth temperature are major hurdles for the optimization of maize yield. Being the third most widely cultivated cereal crop, improvement in maize yield is a big challenge under the limited availability of irrigation. As the water requirement for maize cultivation is high, it is time to introduce technologies that can mitigate drought stress and are environmentally friendly. The inoculation of rhizobacteria with ‘1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase’ (ACCD) can play an imperative role in that regard by decreasing stress ethylene in plants. Biochar (BC) can also alleviate drought stress. Therefore, a field study was conducted, to examine the single and combined application of drought-tolerant plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Enterobacter cloacae, with 15 Mg ha−1 of timber waste biochar (TWBC) at normal irrigation = 16 irrigations, mild drought = 14 irrigations and severe drought = 12 irrigation for maize cultivation. A significant improvement in shoot dry weight (28%), 1000-grains weight (19%), grain yield (27%), concentrations of N (43%), P (92%) and K (71%) in grains, rate of photosynthesis (33%), transpiration rate (55%), stomatal conductance (104%), chlorophyll A (33%), chlorophyll B (62%) and total chlorophyll (45%) of maize was noted under drought stress where E. cloacae + TWBC was applied. Likewise, the application of A. xylosoxidans + TWBC also significantly enhanced the plant height (24%) and cob length (9%) of maize under drought stress. In conclusion, E. cloacae is more effective than A. xylosoxidans, with 15 Mg ha−1 TWBC to increase maize yield under drought stress, due to the potential of higher ‘1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate’ (ACC)-deaminase synthesis, better nutrient solubilization and indole acetic acid (IAA) production.

Effects of the Combinations of Rhizobacteria, Mycorrhizae, and Seaweed, and Supplementary Irrigation on Growth and Yield in Wheat Cultivars

“…The plant roots and the microbial community influence each other [ 85 ]. Soil rhizobacteria plays an significant in nutrient uptake and plant growth [ 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 ]. Hamidi and Marashi [ 91 ] showed that increasing the use of phosphorus fertilizer and the use of mycorrhizal fungi can be effective in achieving the desired yield of wheat.…”

Combined Use of Endophytic Bacteria and Pre-Sowing Treatment of Thiamine Mitigates the Adverse Effects of Drought Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

“…Among all abiotic stresses (heavy metals [1][2][3][4][5][6], salinity [7], nutrient deficiency [8,9]), drought is the most severe stress [10] that decreases crop production in various world climatic regions [11,12]. A drastic reduction (50%) in the yield of crops occurs annually due to soil water deficiencies [11,13].…”

The role of ACC deaminase producing bacteria in improving sweet corn (Zea mays L. var saccharata) productivity under limited availability of irrigation water

“…Among all, some rhizobacteria are capable to produce ACC deaminase that has the potential to decrease the stress generating ethylene in the plants. Recent studies indicated that rhizobacteria having ACC deaminase are helpful to mitigate the adverse effects of stress generating ethylene [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . Enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD), can break ACC, (an immediate precursor of ethylene) to ammonia and α-ketobutyrate 15 .…”