Scientists from the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS have discovered a bacterial strain that helps wheat achieve a significant increase in biomass even in conditions of drought and salt stress. Infection with this microorganism makes it possible to increase the stress resistance of the crop and therefore reduce crop losses during lack of rainfall. SB RAS reported this to socialbites.ca.
Drought, soil salinity, extreme temperatures, heavy metals and frost cause severe stress to crops and can lead to significant yield losses. Introducing beneficial bacterial strains could help prevent such agriculturally dangerous environmental conditions, scientists say.
Experts isolated the species Enterobacter ludwigii from the territory of the Sakhalin region. Experiments have shown that it has high growth ability in a nitrogen-free environment and can also increase the availability of phosphates. Additionally, Enterobacter ludwigii infection in plants resulted in increased growth hormone production, especially under drought conditions.
Bacteria activate antioxidant enzymes that help combat damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). At the same time, small amounts of ROS are involved in root hair growth, root elongation, etc. It has a positive effect on.
“We obtained interesting data that the addition of our bacteria activated the system described in plant roots under normal conditions. We hypothesize that bacteria increase ROS production when interacting with the plant, which in turn activates the plant’s internal reserves. Elena Voronina, head of the molecular genetics group at the Institute of Chemical Biological Physics SB RAS, told socialbites.ca: If a stress factor appears, the plant is already ready to fight it.
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