Deploying a microbial consortium of Serendipita indica, Rhizophagus intraradices, and Azotobacter chroococcum to boost drought tolerance in maize

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses that occurs due to low moisture levels in the soil, harming worldwide crop production. Out of several approaches employed, beneficial soil microbes are the most promising approach to enhance plant growth and protection from stress conditions. The current study focused on observing the effects of tri-inoculants (Serendipita indica, Rhizophagus intraradices, and Azotobacter chroococcum; hereafter referred to as SRA) as a promising and ecologically sustainable growth-promoting formulation for the maize (Zea mays) growing under water deficit conditions. SRA inoculation significantly increased the physical and physico-biochemical characteristics of the maize under both well-watered (WW) and drought stress (DS) conditions, which include root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh weight, root and shoot dry weight, membrane electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll, and relative water content. Additionally, SRA-inoculated maize had higher antioxidant enzyme activities, such as peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), compared to non-inoculated control plants. The results of this study indicate that applying SRA to maize growth has more advantages than applying these microbes individually. The SRA can also be used to boost the growth of other crops in the future against a variety of environmental challenges.

Automated summary

The study found that tri-inoculant (SRA) application can enhance the growth and drought tolerance of maize under water deficit conditions. The physical and physico-biochemical characteristics of the maize, including root and shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, and membrane electrolyte leakage, were significantly improved by SRA inoculation. SRA-inoculated maize also exhibited higher antioxidant enzyme activities. These findings suggest that SRA application has multiple advantages for maize growth and may have potential for boosting the growth of other crops in the future against various environmental challenges.