Assessing the impact of PGPR and water retention agents on bread wheat growth: an experimental study

Abstract

Considering the imperative challenges posed by climate change, particularly the escalating instances of drought stress, optimizing wheat production stands as a critical goal for agricultural development. This experimental study delves into the pivotal role of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Water Retention Agents (WRA) in bolstering the resilience of bread wheat crops to drought conditions. The study encompasses germination tests, field observations, and a comprehensive analysis of agronomic parameters, emphasizing the significance of PGPR and WRA in mitigating the adverse effects of water scarcity on wheat crops. The germination tests in Petri dishes reveal a substantial enhancement with the application of PGPR strains, showing higher rates (95% for Serratia nematodiphila strain GAB111 and 92% for Pseudomonas koreensis strain GAJ222) compared to the control. PGPR significantly increased root and shoot lengths, with significant increases observed. Field observations show the climatic impact on wheat development, with an accelerated growth cycle due to high temperatures and arid conditions. Further analyses reveal that WRA and PGPR significantly affect agronomic parameters such as the number of leaves, tillers, ears, and chlorophyll content. The study also assesses the impact on leaf temperature, wheat yield, plant-root development, and soil parameters such as organic matter and nutrient content. The combined use of WRA and PGPR shows promising results, highlighting their potential synergistic effects on wheat growth and development, especially in challenging environmental conditions. These findings offer practical solutions for enhancing wheat resilience and have broader implications for the sustainable development of agricultural systems confronting increasing climate-induced stresses.