Plant growth-promoting microbes for abiotic stress tolerance in plants

Abstract Microorganisms play a major role in the growth and development of plants. Plants interact with these microorganisms found in soil, on the surface of plants, or within the plant tissue. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) composed groups of microbes, mostly bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, that are rhizospheric, endophytic, or mycorrhizal in nature. Many biotic and abiotic factors affect the health of plants and eventually their yields. This chapter discusses the effects of major abiotic stresses on plants including the role of different PGPM in the management of stress tolerance of plants.