Drought Stress Amelioration in Maize (Zea mays L.) by Inoculation of Bacillus spp. Strains under Sterile Soil Conditions

The aim of the present study was to promote plant growth characteristics including mineral uptake and various phytohormone production by indigenously isolated Bacillus spp. strains. Plants subjected normal water stress conditions were collected after 21 days measure physiological parameters, photosynthetic pigment estimation, biochemical attributes, lipid peroxidation antioxidant enzyme response modulation. Our results correlated with drought amelioration inoculation strains BEB1, BEB2, BEB3 BEB4 under sterile soil condition. Inoculated plants both maize cultivars showed increases in fresh (56.12%) dry (103.5%) biomass, length (42.48%), pigments (32.76%), attributes enhanced nutrient uptake. overall bacterial lowered malonaldehyde level (59.14%), generation hydrogen peroxide (45.75%) accumulation flavonoid contents control Activity enzymes, catalase (62.96%), peroxidase (23.46%), ascorbate (24.44%), superoxide dismutase (55.69%) also decreased application treatment. Stress is dependent on a specific plant–strain interaction evident differences evaluated responses. Such bacteria could be used for enhancing crop productivity protection biotic abiotic stresses sustainable agriculture.