Effect of inoculation with a thermotolerant plant growth promoting Pseudomonas putida strain AKMP7 on growth of wheat (Triticum spp.) under heat stress

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of plant growth promoting thermotolerant Pseudomonas putida strain AKMP7 on the growth of wheat plants to heat stress. The results indicated the superior performance by P. putida strain AKMP7 in improving survival and growth of wheat plants under heat stress. The bacterium significantly increased the root and shoot length, dry biomass, tiller, spike let and grain formation of wheat over uninoculated plants. Inoculation reduced membrane injury and the activity of several antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, APX and CAT under heat stress. Inoculation improved the levels of cellular metabolites like proline, chlorophyll, sugars, starch, amino acids, and proteins compared to uninoculated plants. Scanning electron microscopy studies confirmed the colonization of the organism on the root surface. This result suggests the possible role of microorganisms in mitigating adverse effects of climate changes on crop growth and may lead to development of microbe based climate-ready technology.