In vitro growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings, inoculated with Azospirillum sp., under drought stress

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine: (1) the effects of drought on wheat seedlings growth underi in vitro and dark conditions and (2) if inoculation of wheat seedlings with Azospirillum sp. can alleviate the unfavorable effects of drought on the growth of wheat seedlings. In vitro planted seedlings were subjected to different drought intensities using poly ethylene glycol and were inoculated with 25 Azospirillum strains including the isolated ones and the standard strains of A. halopreaferanse, A. brasilense, A. irakense and A. lipoferum. Different strains of Azospirillum sp. enhanced seedlings growth and adjusted their water behavior under drought. Such results in combination with the previously related results indicate that Azospirillum sp. are able to enhance plant growth and production under different physiological and ecological conditions. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.