Halophile plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria induce salt tolerance traits in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

Salinity is one of the most important growth-limiting factors for most crops in arid and semi-arid regions;however,the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria isolated from saline soils could reduce the effects of saline stress in crops.This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPRs),isolated from the rhizosphere of halophile plants,for the growth,Na⁺/K⁺ balance,ethylene emission,and gene expression of wheat seedlings(Triticum ...     

抗重金属植物根际细菌的植物促生长特征以及它们对黑芥种子萌发的影响

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology that uses plants and their associated microbes to clean up pollutants from the soil, water, and air. In order to select the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR) for phytoremediation of heavy metal contamination, 60 bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of two endemic plants, Prosopis laevigata and Spharealcea angustifolia, in a heavy metal-contaminated zone in Mexico. These rhizobacterial strains were characterized for the growth at different pH and salinity, extracellular enzyme production, solubilization of phosphate, heavy metal resistance, and plant growth-promoting(PGP) traits, including production of siderophores and indol-3-acetic acid(IAA). Overall, the obtained rhizobacteria presented multiple PGP traits. These rhizobacteria were also resistant to high levels of heavy metals(including As as a metalloid)(up to 480 mmol L(-1)As(V), 24 mmol L(-1)Pb(Ⅱ), 21 mmol L(-1)Cu(Ⅱ), and 4.5 mmol L(-1)Zn(Ⅱ)). Seven rhizobacterial strains with the best PGP traits were identified as members of Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Curtobacterium, and Microbacterium, and were selected for further bioassay.The inoculation of Brassica nigra seeds with Microbacterium sp. CE3R2, Microbacterium sp. NE1R5, Curtobacterium sp. NM1R1,and Microbacterium sp. NM3E9 facilitated the root development; they significantly improved the B. nigra seed germination and root growth in the presence of heavy metals such as 2.2 mmol L(-1)Zn(Ⅱ). The rhizobacterial strains isolated in the present study had the potential to be used as efficient bioinoculants in phytorremediation of soils contaminated with multiple heavy metals.     

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant protection using dual biological control and plant growth-promoting agents: Current scenarios and future prospects

Various microorganisms live in association with different parts of plants and can be harmful, neutral, or beneficial to plant health. Some microbial inhabitants of plants can control plant diseases by contesting with, predating on, or antagonizing plant pathogens and by inducing systems for plant defense. A range of methods, including plant growth-promoting microorganisms(PGPMs) as biological control agents(BCAs)(BCA-PGPMs) are used for the biological management and control of plant pathogens. S...     

Effect of halotolerant endophytic bacteria isolated from Salicornia europaea L. on the growth of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under salt stress

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of selected halotolerant endophytic bacteria isolated from the roots of Salicornia europaea on the growth parameters of Beta vulgaris under different concentrations of salinity. Two endophytic strains were selected as inocula for the pot experiment: Pseudomonas sp. ISE-12 (B1) and Xanthomonadales sp. CSE-34 (B2). Surface-sterilised seeds were incubated in the bacterial inoculation suspensions before sowing and cultivated in a sterile mixture of sand and vermiculite (1:1). Six salinity treatments were taken into account: 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 mM NaCl. Inoculation of seeds with B1 and B2 positively affected germination percentage and germination index and shortened mean germination time, which led to a quickening of the growth stages of seedlings. After 42 days inoculated plants had, in general, a greater root length, higher dry biomass, lower tissue water content and lower specific leaf area compared with the control. While the positive effect of B2 bacteria was visible only at low salinity, strain B1 stimulated plant growth at higher salinities (200 and 300 mM NaCl). We suggest that the superior growth promotion observed for B1 may be related to the higher metabolic activity of these bacteria.     

根际促生菌Bacillus subtilisY-IVI在香草兰上的应用效果研究

【目的】香草兰为多年生热带经济作物,随着种植年限的增加,植株长势弱,土壤有益微生物减少,土壤微生物区系失衡,严重制约了香草兰产业的可持续发展。枯草芽孢杆菌作为一种根际促生菌,被广泛应用于促进作物生长,改善土壤微生物环境。本文将枯草芽孢杆菌Y-IVI接种在有机肥上,生产了生物有机肥,并就该生物有机肥对香草兰生长的影响进行了研究。【方法】采用温室盆栽试验,调查施用根际促生菌枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)Y-IVI及其经固体发酵制得的微生物有机肥料(Y-IVI:3×108cfu/g)后,香草兰植株地上部及根系的生长状况,采用选择性培养基方法研究了Y-IVI在香草兰根际土壤中的定殖能力及对香草兰根茎腐病致病菌-尖孢镰刀菌数量的影响。【结果】施用Y-IVI及BIO 4个月后,香草兰根际土壤Y-IVI数量仍可达到106cfu/g土,二者无显著差异,在处理OF和对照中未检测到菌株Y-IVI。施用生物有机肥香草兰地上部干重和根系干重均显著高于对照,分别增加了63.1%和59.4%,与不接种Y-IVI的有机肥处理(OF)相比,地上部干重显著提高了43.2%,根系干重提高了18%,差异不显著;施用Y-IVI菌液的处理植株地上部干重和根系干重均高于对照,但无显著性差异;处理BIO根系直径、根系表面积和总体积与对照相比分别增加了41.9%、88.9%和80.4%,均显著高于对照,总根长与对照差异不显著;处理BIO根系表面积和总体积与有机肥处理OF相比分别显著增加了41.9%和30.8%,根系直径与OF相比增加了10.1%,差异不显著;处理Y-IVI根系直径与对照相比显著增加了25.5%,但根系表面积和总体积与对照差异不显著;与对照相比,施用BIO及Y-IVI的处理根际土壤尖孢镰刀菌数量分别明显降低了52.2%和41.8%,施用有机肥OF的处理降低了10%,差异不显著。【结论】Y-IVI可稳定定殖于香草兰根际土壤对其生长起有益作用,含促生菌Y-IVI的生物有机肥料比单独使用促生菌菌液可以更有效地减少根际土壤中尖孢镰刀菌数量,降低连作生物障碍。施用生物有机肥料比施用化肥和有机肥更有效地促进香草兰地上部及根系生长,因此,施用由根际促生菌枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)Y-IVI制得的生物有机肥是解决香草兰连作生物障碍和提高收益的有效手段。     

Nutrient uptake, physiological responses and growth of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in soil under composite salt stress

High soil salinity imposes osmotic stress and ion toxicity in plants, leading to substantial crop yield loss worldwide. Understanding of the quantitative and dynamic physiological responses to composite soil salt stress is limited and needs to be expanded. In this study, physiological, nutritional, and biomass yield parameters of tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum L.) grown in soil with five levels of composite soil salinity(CSS), basal CSS level(control, CK) and 3(T1), 6(T2), 9(T3), and 12(T4) times the...     

高产生物能植物蓖麻作为铜污染土壤上潜在植物修复剂

Copper (Cu) contamination in the environment has been increased during the years with agricultural and industrial activities.Biotechnological approaches are needed for bioremediation in these areas. The aims of this study were i) to evaluate the phytoremediation capacity of the high-yielding bioenergy plant castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) in vineyard soils (Inceptisol and Mollisol) contaminated with Cu and a Cu mining waste; ii) to characterize the castor bean as a Cu phytoremediation plant; and iii) to evaluate the nutrient uptake by castor bean. Castor bean plants cultivated in soil with toxic levels of Cu for 57 d exhibited high phytomass production, a high tolerance index of roots’ fresh mass and shoots’ dry mass, a high level of Cu phytoaccumulation in the roots and also, a robust capacity for Cu phytostabilization. Furthermore, castor bean plants did not significantly deplete soil nutrients(such as N, P, and Mg) during cultivation. Plants cultivated in Inceptisol, Mollisol and Cu mining waste exhibited a strong potential for Cu phytoaccumulation, with values of 5 900, 3 052 and 2 805 g ha-1, respectively. In addition, the castor bean’s elevated phytomass production and strong growth in Cu-contaminated soils indicated a high level of Cu phytoaccumulation and a potential application in biofuels. These findings indicate that the castor bean is a efcient hyperaccumulator of Cu and a potential candidate plant for the phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soil.     

长期定位施肥对夏玉米光合特性及产量的影响研究

在长期定位试验基础上,采用以化肥为主处理、玉米秸秆为副处理的二因素裂区设计,通过对夏玉米叶面积、叶面积指数、功能叶叶绿素含量等光合特性及产量构成等的研究,探讨了秸秆与氮磷化肥配施对夏玉米光合特性及产量的影响.研究结果表明:长期施用秸秆对夏玉米增产有积极作用,但产量的增加主要靠化肥的投入,秸秆和化肥配施能更大幅度地增加夏玉米产量.从植株光合特性看,随氮磷化肥用量的增加,夏玉米叶面积和叶面积指数增大,到灌浆后期叶面积指数维持在3.5左右.长期不施肥和仅施秸秆处理玉米功能叶叶绿素含量低.长期施用秸秆促进了玉米叶面积的增加,其增产作用表现在穗粒数的增加上.化肥和秸秆配施在促进玉米生长的同时还能延缓叶片衰老,更大程度地增加穗粒数,提高千粒重,进而增加夏玉米产量.秸秆还田和氮磷化肥配施是该区较好的施肥模式.     

Silicon alleviates the toxicity of cadmium and zinc for maize (Zea mays L.) grown on a contaminated soil

Although silicon (Si) is not an essential element, it presents a close relationship with the alleviation of heavy‐metal toxicity to plants. This work was carried out to evaluate the effects of Si application to soil on the amelioration of metal stress to maize grown on a contaminated soil amended with Si (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg kg^–1) as calcium silicate (CaSiO₃). Additionally, the cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) bioavailability as well as their distribution into soil fractions was also studied. The results showed that adding Si to a Cd‐ and Zn‐contaminated soil effectively diminished the metal stress and resulted in biomass increase in comparison to metal‐contaminated soil not treated with Si. This relied on Cd and Zn immobilization in soil rather than on the increase of soil pH driven by calcium silicate application. Silicon altered the Cd and Zn distribution in soil fractions, decreasing the most bioavailable pools and increasing the allocation of metals into more stable fractions such as organic matter and crystalline iron oxides.     

淤泥质海岸微地貌土壤盐分与植物群落分异机制初探

对滨渤海几种微地貌的土壤盐分与植物群落分布及其相关性性研究的结果表明,微地貌是造成非地带性土壤盐分颁的关键因子,微地貌造成的雨水聚集区可有效淡化土壤。通过创造微地貌集雨体系，进行生态工程设计建设，可为土壤改良与植被建设提供有效途径。     

Biochar and crop residue application to soil: effect on soil biochemical properties,nutrient availability and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In the recent past, biochar and crop residues have attracted lots of attention as a viable strategy for maintaining soil health. This paper evaluates the comparative effect of two different doses (equivalent to 2 and 5 t C ha^?1) of each of pine needle and Lantana biochar (PBC and LBC), wheat residue and lentil residue (WR and LR) on soil biological properties, nutrient availability and yield of rice and wheat in pot culture. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed higher C content of biochar than crop residues. Evaluation of biochemical quality reflected high recalcitrance indices of C and N for both PBC and LBC. Application of LBC and PBC increased the wheat grain yield significantly by 6.2%–24.2% over control. Both PBC and LBC significantly increased N and P uptakes in grain over the control and crop residues. Both biochars recorded a significant decrease of 33.9 and 71,7% in β-glucosidase activity in comparison to control at termination of study. PBC and LBC also resulted in more soil available N, P and K in soil at different intervals. The geometric mean of enzyme activities (GMea) reflected improved soil quality by PBC and LR and reduction by LBC application.     

紫茎泽兰和黄顶菊入侵对土壤微生物群落结构和旱稻生长的影响

为比较入侵植物与本地植物对土壤微生态影响的差异, 探索外来植物入侵的土壤微生物学机制, 本研究通过同质园试验, 比较分析了2种入侵菊科植物(紫茎泽兰、黄顶菊)和2种本地植物(马唐、猪毛菜)对土壤肥力和微生物群落的影响, 并通过盆栽反馈试验验证入侵植物改变后的土壤微生物对本地植物旱稻生长的反馈作用。同质园试验结果表明: 2种入侵植物和2种本地植物分别对土壤微生态产生了不同的影响, 尤其是紫茎泽兰显著提高了土壤有效氮、有效磷和有效钾含量,紫茎泽兰根际土壤中有效氮含量为39.80 mg·kg^-1,有效磷含量为48.52 mg·kg^-1。磷脂脂肪酸指纹图谱结果表明, 2种入侵植物与2种本地植物相比, 较显著增加了土壤中放线菌数量, 而紫茎泽兰比其他3种植物显著增加了细菌和真菌数量。盆栽结果表明: 黄顶菊生长过的土壤灭菌后比灭菌前旱稻株高增加113%, 紫茎泽兰也使旱稻的株高增加17%。由以上结果可知, 紫茎泽兰和黄顶菊可能通过改变入侵地土壤的微环境, 形成利于其自身生长扩散的微生态环境从而实现其成功入侵。     

影响山核桃林地土壤生产性能的主要肥力因子及其临界区间

【目的】土壤养分是植物生存的必要条件,探讨山核桃(Carya cathayensis Sarg.)主产区林地土壤肥力因子及其对土壤生产性能的影响,为山核桃的栽植和可持续发展、土壤培肥提供科学依据。【方法】在浙江省山核桃主产区,随机选择58个典型乡镇的山核桃林采集土样,测定了pH、有机质、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、有效钙、有效镁、有效铁、有效锰、有效铜、有效锌、有效硼12个肥力因子水平,运用主成分分析和回归分析方法,分析了它们对山核桃生长、感病等级、产量等级的影响以及丰缺临界区间。【结果】主成分分析前5个因素(PC1、PC2、PC3、PC4、PC5)的累计贡献率达78.49%。PC1的主要荷载为土壤pH、有效钙和有效镁含量,PC2的主要荷载是微量元素和有效磷含量,PC3是有机质和碱解氮含量,PC4和PC5分别是有效硼和速效钾含量。林分生长性状中,生长势等级与pH、速效钾、有效钙、有效镁、有效铜、有效锌显著负相关(P <0.01),干腐病感病等级与pH、有效钙、有效镁显著负相关(P <0.01),产量等级与pH、有效钙、有效镁、有效磷、有效锌显著正相关(P <0.01)。回归模型分析得出,土壤pH、速效钾和有效钙、有效镁、有效铜、有效锌是当前栽培措施水平下影响山核桃生长的关键土壤肥力因子。综合评价后发现,研究区现有约57%的山核桃林地土壤综合肥力低于平均水平。【结论】对山核桃林地土壤生产性能影响最大的因素是土壤pH、有效钙和有效镁含量,其次是微量元素和有效磷含量,有机质、速效钾含量也有一定的影响。山核桃主产区的林地土壤关键指标丰缺范围:pH 5.19~5.70、速效钾87~129 mg/kg、有效钙817~1374 mg/kg、有效镁93~145 mg/kg、有效铜1.36~4.39 mg/kg、有效锌0.78~2.33 mg/kg。     

秸秆和植被覆盖对滩涂围垦区土壤盐分和肥力性质的影响

为探明不同地面覆盖对滩涂围垦区土壤盐分变化和肥力性质的影响,于2014年5月~2015年5月,在江苏如东东凌垦区开展了秸秆和植被覆盖的田间试验,设置对照(CK,裸地)、15 t/hm~2秸秆覆盖(SM)、植被覆盖(PC,田菁-野生芥菜种植)和植被覆盖结合7.5 t/hm~2秸秆覆盖(PC+1/2SM)4种试验处理。结果表明:(1)与CK处理相比,覆盖处理半年后(12月),SM处理0~40 cm土壤含盐量下降了91.0%以上(P0.05),而PC和PC+1/2SM处理0~40 cm没有明显的降盐效果(P0.05);SM、PC和PC+1/2SM处理1年后滩涂围垦区0~100 cm各土层土壤含盐量均有明显地下降,SM、PC和PC+1/2SM处理0~40和40~100 cm土壤含盐量分别下降了97.0%和83.0%以上,40.0%和30.0%以上,54.0%和33.0%以上;(2)SM和PC+1/2SM处理0~100 cm土壤pH值均显著高于CK和PC处理(P0.05),而CK与PC处理间pH变化没有明显差异;(3)PC和PC+1/2SM处理显著增加了表层(0~20 cm)土壤有机碳、全氮、碱解氮含量及孔隙度,显著降低了表层土壤容重(P0.05),但SM处理对土壤容重、有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷等均没有明显的影响。因此,相比PC和PC+1/2SM处理,虽然15 t/hm~2秸秆覆盖措施对滩涂围垦区土壤降盐效果更为明显,但综合考虑土壤培肥和降盐效果,种植耐盐植被结合适量秸秆覆盖(如15 t/hm~2秸秆覆盖)是滩涂围垦区降盐改土的重要措施之一。     

Maize (Zea mays L.) yield and soil properties as affected by no tillage in the black soils of China

A four-year tillage experiment on maize was conducted in the high latitude region of Northeast of China. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different field tillage practices on maize grain yield, soil physical properties, and soil water and temperature dynamics in Northeast of China. The tillage practices included moldboard plow tillage (MOT), rotary tillage (ROT), reduced tillage (RET), combined tillage (COT), and no tillage (NOT). The surface soil water content at depths of 0–20 cm was higher under NOT compared with other tillage practices, but not different at the deeper soil depths in 2011. The soil temperatures under NOT and RET were lower than those under moldboard plow tillage and ROT at depths of 5 and 15 cm, respectively, measured at 9:00 am in 2005. From the hourly dynamics of soil temperature, the differences among the tillage practices mainly appeared during the daytime (from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm). Among all the practices, the average daily soil temperature under ROT was the highest, while that under NOT was the lowest. MOT, ROT, and RET had higher soil accumulative infiltration compared with NOT and COT. The surface soil bulk density under NOT was higher than or equal to that under the other four tillage practices. The maize yields under NOT were the lowest among all the tillage practices for three years straight. Meanwhile, the yields under MOT were the highest, which were about 47%, 61%, and 38% higher than those under NOT. NOT practice is not recommended for use in spring-planted maize under the high latitude humid cool climate Mollisol region in Northeast of China.     

堆肥缓解土壤镉的植物毒性: 对白菜生长的影响

The growth performance of pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) in relation to soil cadmium (Cd) fractionations was investigated to evaluate the remediating effect of poultry manure compost on Cd-contaminated soil. A yellow-brown soil (Alfisol) treated with various levels of Cd (0–50 mg Cd kg-1 soil) was amended with increasing amounts of compost from 0 to 120 g kg-1 . Compost application transformed 47.8%–69.8% of soluble/exchangeable Cd to the organic-bound fraction, and consequently decreased Cd uptake of pakchoi by 56.2%–62.5% as compared with unamended soil. Alleviation of Cd bioavailability by compost was attributed primarily to the increase of soil pH and complexation of Cd by organic matter including dissolved organic matter. In general, the improvement of pakchoi performance was more pronounced in higher Cd-contaminated soil. Addition of large amount of compost also favored the anti-oxidative capability of pakchoi against Cd toxicity. This low cost remediation method seems to be very effective in the restoration of Cd-contaminated soils.     

Effect of dairy slurry application on soil compaction and corn (Zea mays L.) yield in Southern Wisconsin

As stocking rates on Wisconsin dairy farms continue to increase, one possible nutrient management solution is to haul slurry to nearby grain farmer's fields. Although the nutrient and soil building benefits of manure are well known, many grain farmers are hesitant to apply manure on their fields due to potential soil compaction. Studies were initiated to evaluate the effects of tanker-applied slurry on soil compaction and corn (Zea mays L.) yield. An on-station trial was established to address the issues of compaction caused by manure tankers, repeated traffic associated with field headlands, and the possible ameliorating effect of manure itself on corn yield. In addition, 15 replicated on-farm trials were established to evaluate the impact of single pass manure applications on soil compaction and yield. These predominately fall applications were conducted when the host farmer felt that the soil would support tanker traffic. Due to its portability and instrument sensitivity, compactness was evaluated with a data-logging hand held penetrometer.Results from the on-station trial indicate that multiple passes did increase compactness above single-pass traffic and the check. The slurry itself did not attenuate the effect of traffic on soil compaction, nor on yield. Despite yield reductions estimated from in-track samples in both years of 6% (one-pass traffic) and 22% (six-pass traffic) in this study, whole plot corn yields were not reduced due to compaction. The on-farm trials indicated that manure application technique does affect compaction patterns; with broadcast application resulting in less area trafficked by the tanker than injection application, and therefore less area compacted. The narrower gauge truck tires used at some sites led to significantly higher penetrometer readings compared to the control, but this was not the case at sites with wider tractor tires. As in the on-station work, although compaction led to higher penetrometer readings, whole plot corn yields in compacted plots were not adversely affected compared to the control. These results suggest that, in the first year after slurry application, on predominantly prairie derived soils; well-timed applications of dairy slurry do not cause extensive soil compaction nor a reduction in corn yields. This study did not look at the potential residual effects that may positively (>soil organic matter) or negatively (residual soil compaction) impact subsequent crops.     

华北平原海水灌溉对土壤性质和菊芋产量的影响

Irrigation with various dilutions of seawater can act as an alternate water resource and thus plays an important role in saving freshwater resources as well as promoting agriculture in the coastal semi-arid areas of the North China Plain. Jerusalem artichoke （Helianthus tuberosus L.） grown in a field experiment was irrigated with seawater diluted with freshwater from 2001 to 2003 to determine the feasibility of seawater irrigation in the Laizhou area. For treatments of CK （non-irrigation） along with seawater concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 75%, total dissolved solid （TDS） in the non-irrigated soil significantly increased （P ≤ 0.05） in both 2002 and 2003 and was 1.3 times higher in 2003 than in 2001. In the 25% and 50% seawater concentration treatments, TDS in 2001 was significantly greater （P ≤ 0.05） than CK; however, TDS in these two treatments decreased by 34.9% and 40.1%, respectively, in 2003 compared with 2001. The sodium adsorption ratio （SAR） remained below 10 mmol^1/2 L^-1/2, indicating that alkalization was low with seawater irrigation. In 2001 and 2002, compared to CK and the irrigation treatment with 75% seawater, irrigation with 25% and 50% seawater increased the yields of Jerusalem .artichoke. This meant that Jerusalem artichoke could be safely grown in salt-affected land of Laizhou area with 25% and 50% seawater irrigation.     

接种含ACC脱氨酶的假单胞菌能部分缓解干旱胁迫对豌豆生长、产量及成熟的影响

Two preselected plant growth promoting rhizobacteria （PGPR） containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate （ACC）- deaminase （EC 4.1.99.4） were used to investigate their potential to ameliorate the effects of drought stress on growth, yield, and ripening of pea （Pisum sativum L.）. Inoculated and uninoculated （control） seeds of pea cultivar 2000 were sown in pots （four seeds pot-1） and placed in a wire house. The plants were exposed to drought stress at different stages of growth （vegetative, flowering, and pod formation） by skipping the respective irrigation. Results revealed that inoculation of peas with PGPR containing ACC-deaminase significantly decreased the ＂drought stress imposed effects＂ on the growth and yield of peas. Exposure of plants to drought stress at vegetative growth stage significantly decreased shoot growth by 41% in the case of uninoculated plants, whereas, by only 18% in the case of inoculated plants compared to nonstressed uninoculated control.
Grain yield was decreased when plants were exposed to drought stress at the flowering and pod formation stage, but inoculation resulted in better grain yield （up to 62% and 40% higher, respectively） than the respective uninoculated nonstressed control. Ripening of pods was also delayed in plants inoculated with PGPR, which may imply decreased endogenous ethylene production in inoculated plants. This premise is further supported by the observation that inoculation with PGPR reduced the intensity of classical ＂triple＂ response in etiolated pea seedlings, caused by externally applied ACC. It is very probable that the drought stress induced inhibitory effects of ethylene could be partially or completely eliminated by inoculation with PGPR containing ACC-deaminase.