Dual inoculations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria boost drought resistance and essential oil yield of common myrtle

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are increasingly being used to enhance crop abiotic stress resistance. Common myrtle is an economically important essential oil-producing but knowledge about its drought resistance mechanisms the mitigation potential of AMF PGPR scant. Here, we investigated effects single dual (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus irregularis) (Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida) inoculation on seedling survival, growth, physiology, biochemical traits under soil water deficit (100%, 60%, 30% field capacity). Under severe drought, all inoculations increased survival compared non-inoculated seedlings. Drought-related growth impairment was more strongly compensated belowground than aboveground, especially in dual-inoculated plants, indicating prioritized resource allocation roots probably linked AMF- PGPR-induced phytohormone changes. Particularly significantly improved leaf reduced electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, proline concentrations mitigated oxidative pigment losses through upregulation antioxidant defense as evidenced by (non-)enzymatic accumulation, including oils. Our findings indicate similarly significant PGPR-mediated boosts enhanced nutrient supply stimulation defense. Dual proved most effective provide a low-cost approach optimizing cultivation restoration programs.