AN ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIUM FROM Tridax procumbens PROVIDES DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN WHEAT SEEDLINGS

Drought stress can negatively affect the growth and yield of crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum). One of the strategies to improve climate resilience includes the incorporation of beneficial microbes in agricultural practices. Endophytic bacteria are the plant associated bacteria that thrive inside plants and can improve plant growth under normal and stressful conditions. They can benefit host plants directly by improving plant nutrient uptake and by modulating phytohormones. The application of plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria (PGPEB) offers an ecofriendly approach for improving agriculture crop production and counteracting the negative effects of drought stress. In this study, we isolated a bacterium from Tridax procumbens L designated as Tps05. Treatment with Tps05 significantly improved seed germination, root/shoot length, fresh and dry weight of wheat under normal and Drought stress conditions compared to mock/control. Tps05 bacterial isolate was found to produce higher IAA content and Phosphate solubilization. Because of these attributes, Tps05 bacterial isolate can be a good candidate to use as biofertilizers in improving plant tolerance to Drought stress.