Modulation of drought adversities in Vicia faba by the application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and biochar

Drought is the greatest threat to world food security, seen as the catalyst for the great famines of the past. Given that the world's water supply is limited, it is likely that future demand of food for increasing population will further exacerbate the drought effects. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of biochar and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Sphingobacterium pakistanensis (NCCP246) and Cellulomonas pakistanensis (NCCP11) on agronomic and physiological attributes of Vicia faba two varieties Desi (V1) and Pulista (V2) under induced drought stress. The seeds were sown in earthen pots filled with 3 kg sand and soil (1:2), and biochar (0 and 5% w/w) in triplicate arranged in complete randomized design. Analysis of biochar possessed 0.49 g cm(-3) bulk density, 9.6 pH; 5.4 cmol kg(-1) cation exchange capacity, 3.64% organic carbon and EC 6.7 ds/m. Agronomic attributes including seed LAI, LAR, SVI, %PHSI and RWC were improved by 30.4-180.4%, 14.37-47.20%, 37.64-50.91%, 18.21-30.80, and 35.82-54.34% in both varieties by the co-application of biochar and PGPR. Stomatal physiology and epidermal vigor was successfully improved by the application of PGPR and biochar as analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Photosynthetic pigments, flavonoids, phenols, proline and glycine betaine were amplified by 58.33-173.8%, 50.59-130.33%, 46.58-86.62%, 46.66-109.30%, 35.74-56.10%, and 21.96-77.22% in both varieties by the co-application of biochar and PGPR. So, the present work concluded that, combined application of biochar and PGPR could be an effective strategy to alleviate the adversities of drought in V. faba growing in drastic ecosystems.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of biochar and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the agronomic and physiological attributes of Vicia faba under drought stress. The results showed that the combination of biochar and PGPR significantly improved the growth and drought tolerance of Vicia faba.