Effects of PGPR inoculation on photosynthesis and physiological-ecological characteristics of apple seedlings under drought stress

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201910.024

Abstract

Abstract: The effects of inoculation of rhizosphere-promoting bacteria (PGPR) on photosynthesis and physiological-ecological characteristics of apple tree seedlings under drought conditions were investigated in this study, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the application of PGPR in plant drought resistance. In the pot experiment, the rhizosphere-promoting bacterium YX₂ which had both ACC deaminase activity and strong phosphorus solubilizing ability was selected as the tested strain. Apple seedlings were grown under four different irrigation levels i.e., control (CK), mild drought (LD), moderate drought (MD), and severe drought (SD) with soil moisture equivalent to 70%-80%, 55%-65%, 40%-50% and 25%-35% of field water holding capacity, respectively. Inoculation of PGPR alleviated the damaging effects of drought on growth by improving relative water content and chlorophyll content in apple tree seedlings. In addition, PGPR inoculated individuals exhibited higher antioxidant enzyme activity, chlorophyll fluorescence values, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate and lower relative conductivity and lipid peroxidation. Our results suggested that PGPR-YX₂ alleviated the negative effects of drought stress on the growth and net photosynthetic rate by improving the antioxidant system, water content and membrane functioning.

XU Xue-dong, ZHANG Chao, QIN Cheng, SU Yun-yun, ZHOU Jie, ZHANG Hai, ZHANG Li-xin. Effects of PGPR inoculation on photosynthesis and physiological-ecological characteristics of apple seedlings under drought stress[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2019, 30(10): 3501-3508.

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