Amelioration of water deficiency stress in roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Belowground interactions between plant roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs), and growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can improve growth yield under abiotic stress conditions. A pot factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to investigate the effects of AMFs (without inoculation as control, Funneliformis mosseae intraradices) PGPRs control Pseudomonas fluorescens p-169 inoculation) roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) grown water deficiency (WDS) [90% (I1), 75% (I2), 50% (I3), 25% (I4) field capacity well-watered, mild, moderate, severe stress, respectively]. The results showed that by applying WDS, properties such root sepals’ dry weight, 1000-seed seed yield, chlorophyll a, b, total, carotenoids, leaf content significantly reduced. application PGPR WDS conditions increased yield. In response osmotic adjustment were provided in Roselle highest found well-watered treatment F. without (6.37 6.51 g/plant, respectively). These suggesting antagonistic PGPR. sepals weight compared non-inoculation. conclusion, activity enzymatic antioxidants higher production non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds, well photosynthetic pigments symbiotic association AMFs, alleviate reactive oxygen species damage resulting parameters tolerance.