Moisture- and period-dependent interactive effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and AM fungus on water use and yield formation in dryland wheat

In drought-prone soils, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) might positively affect water uptake crop yield via rhizosphere interactions. Sole combined additions of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens producing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase Rhizophagus irregularis into rhizospheric soils were performed under well-watered (WW; 80% field capacity), moderate stress (MWS; 50% FWC) severe (SWS; 35% in pot-cultured wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). drought stress, use efficiency (WUEB) was increased by 27.9–34.3% PGPR 20–22.1% AMF treatments, respectively, grain improved 20.03–30.77% 12.13–34.34% compared with control (CK). Importantly, the co-inoculation significantly promoted WUEB 11.12–27.77% 18.26–21.68% to average value two sole inoculations MWS SWS respectively. WUEY biomass production followed a similar trend as yield. Particularly, above parameters enhanced prolonged developmental stages (p < 0.05). ACC reduced accumulation SWS, root colonization, microbial carbon nitrogen levels across all three developing stages. Furthermore, AMF-PGPR chlorophyll carotenoid contents during anthesis while reducing them pre-harvesting. Enhanced activities upsurged photosynthetic traits throughout growing season. acted promising solution cope droughted environment for stronger capture.