Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

A key challenge for plant growth is global water shortage, limiting crop yields already today in more than 70% of arable lands. The drought limitations further gain in importance in the near future as agricultural activities expand to less fertile areas to satisfy growing demands for food. Accordingly, novel solutions for plant survival and growth under restricted water availability are of central significance in contemporary plant science. Rhizobacterial ability to increase plant growth and provide protection to various pathogens has been frequently reported and applied in agricultural systems. Relatively few reports have been published on the bacterial ability to induce drought stress tolerance. Application of the isolates to-gether with novel technologies for their monitoring can contribute to solving food security issues in the changing climates.