Rhizobium alamii improves water stress tolerance in a non-legume

With the increasing demand for alternative solutions to replace or optimize use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, inoculation bacteria that can contribute growth health plants (PGPR) is essential. The properties classically sought in PGPR are production phytohormones other growth-promoting molecules, more rarely exopolysaccharides. We compared effect two strains exopolysaccharide-producing Rhizobium alamii on rapeseed grown a calcareous silty-clay soil under water stress conditions not. factors ‘water stress’ ‘inoculation’ were evaluated plant parameters diversity microbiota associated root root-adhering compartments. Water resulted significant decrease leaf area, shoot biomass RAS/RT ratio (root-adhering soil/root tissues), as well overall beta-diversity. Inoculation with R. YAS34 GBV030 water-stress produced same dry uninoculated treatment absence stress, both increased water-stressed (+7% +15%, respectively). Only significantly unstressed non-inoculated control (+39% Alpha-diversity root-associated after was reduced. Beta-diversity modified conditions. LEfSe analysis identified characteristic bacterial families, Flavobacteriaceae Comamonadaceae, RT RAS compartments inoculated by conditions, Halomonadaceae (RT) several species belonging Actinomycetales (RAS). showed had growth, its tolerance probably involving capacity produce exopolysaccharides, (PGP) traits.