The Effects of Sinorhizobium and Pseudomonas on Growth Characteristics, Nutrient Uptake, Seed Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Fenugreek under Water Deficit Stress

Water deficit stress limits agriculture crop production. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in control of water deficit stress. Today, for improving of plant tolerance to stress and the production of healthy crops, the application of biofertilizers, including growth-promoting bacteria, is interest. The present study investigates the effects of two different PGPRs (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Sinorhizobium meliloti) on some physiological and morphological characteristics in fenugreek under water deficit stress. For this purpose, a factorial design based on randomized complete block design with four water deficit levels (100%, 80%, 60% and 40% FC) and four PGPR condition as control, Sinorhizobium meliloti, Pseudomonas fluorescens and combination of S. meliloti. and P. fluorescens with three replications were carried out. Irrigation treatments were applied after flowering of plants until harvesting. The results showed that leaf area, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, phosphorus and potassium content, and water use efficiency (WUE) were significantly improved by PGPR inoculation and individual use of PGPR was more effective, whereas seed yield was decreased in PGPR treated plants.