Bioinoculants as a strategy to mitigate water deficiency in maize growth

Introduction and aim: Intensive use of inorganic fertilizers to meet growing food demand has become a major threat to soil health and long-term agricultural productivity. At same time, drought remains a global challenge due to its severe impact on crop yields. Annual crops of economic relevance (e.g. maize) are particularly vulnerable. Plant growth-promoting bacteria enhance maize tolerance to drought stress by improving nutrient uptake and water retention, offering an eco-friendly farming solution. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bioinoculation on maize growth under two different water regimes. Conclusions: Although the selected bacteria exhibited multiple plant growth-promoting traits, including substantial IAA production and good tolerance to osmotic stress, most of them had only marginal effects on maize growth; However, inoculation with B1 (e.g. Bacillus pumilus) positively influenced both root and shoot biomass under moderate water-stress conditions.