Author:
Saryanah N A,Bidara I S,Rosdayanti H,Hardiyanti S,Irawati A F C,Sulastri S,Sukmadi R B,Roswanjaya Y P,Asiani N
Abstract
Abstract
Drought stress poses a threat to the yield of shallot (Allium cepa) due to its adverse effect on the growth, biochemical, and physiology of the plant. Plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria associated with plants in dry areas are prospectively utilized as biostimulants in enhancing the tolerance of crops against drought stress. This study investigated the responses of growth and biochemical attributes of shallot by inoculation of drought-tolerant bacteria with multiple PGP traits under drought stress. We isolated drought-tolerant bacteria associated with various plants growing in the dry land of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Nine drought-tolerant bacteria and a consortium were screened for PGP traits, growth assay and biochemical responses of shallot under drought stress. There are no significant effects of bacterial treatment on shallot plant growth after water stress treatment (50% field capacity). However, bacterial isolates A59-4 showed the highest effect on chlorophyll a, carotenoid and total chlorophyll, and also significantly increased the total soluble sugar content (100% increment) of shallot under drought stress. Our study revealed that bacterial isolate A59-4 is a prospective biostimulant to alleviate the drought stress effect on shallot crops.