ECOPERSIA

ECOPERSIA

Enhancing Drought Resistance in Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) using Growth-Promoting Bacteria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahdieh Ebrahimi 1
Malihe Erfani 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2 Department of Environment, Natural Resources Faculty, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
10.48311/ecopersia.2026.119757.82884
Abstract
Aims: Arid environments present significant constraints on plant development, with water scarcity being a primary impediment. In this study, we investigated whether plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPRs) are effective in reducing the negative effects of water deficit on red clover (Trifolium pratense L.).
Materials & Methods: A factorial test, using a completely randomized design, investigated the effect of PGPRs on seed germination, growth, and plant nutrient uptake under water deficit conditions. Three soil moisture regimes were established: field capacity 100% (FC100), 70% (FC70), and 40% (FC40). Experimental treatments comprised inoculation with Azotobacter vinelandii (AV), a consortium of Pantoea agglomerans and Pseudomonas putida (PA+PP), and AV+PA+PP.
Findings: Germination rate varied considerably, with AV×FC70 exhibiting the highest percentage (93%) and control+FC70 the lowest (60%). Synergistic applications of AV, PA, and PP were less effective at mitigating drought stress than single treatments. Root length (10.79cm), shoot length (18.89cm), and dry biomass (aboveground: 0.98g.plant-1; belowground: 1.88g.plant-1) reached their maxima under AV×FC40, whereas (PA+PP)×FC40 yielded the minimal measurements. PA+PP demonstrated no statistically significant impact on water deficit reduction (p<0.01). AV×FC40 maximized potassium uptake. Iron and manganese were highest in (PA+PP)×FC70, while zinc was maximum in (AV+PA+PP)×FC100. Minimum uptake of iron, zinc, and manganese occurred with (AV+PA+PP)×FC70, (AV+PA+PP)×FC40, and AV×FC100, respectively.
Conclusion: Typically, inoculation of red clover with A. vinelandii has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing drought tolerance, offering a biotechnological strategy for forage production in water-limited environments. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which rhizobacteria confer drought resilience to host plants necessitates further investigation.
Keywords
Azotobacter
Environmental Stress
Nutrient Uptake
PGPRs
Rhizosphere
Subjects
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