Effect of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhiza on biochemical properties and absorption of essential elements in green pea (Pisum sativum L.) under water deficit stress

Drought stress is a critical abiotic stress that has a negative effect on plant productivity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Azotobacter and Azospirillium positively affect plant physiology, especially under drought stress. The recent study aimed to examine the effects of Mycorrhiza fungi and PGPR on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the amount of nutrient absorption under water deficit conditions. A factorial experiment was performed based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors were irrigation (regular irrigation, water deficit at the grain filling stage, water deficit at the flowering stage, no irrigation) and Mycorrhiza fungi and PGPR (Azotobacte rcoroccum, Azospirillum lipoferum, Mycorrhiza arbuscularas, Azotobacter coroccum + Azospirillum lipoferum, Azotobacte rcoroccum + Mycorrhiza arbuscular, Azospirillum lipoferum + Maycorrhiza arbuscular, Azotobacte rcoroccum + Azospirillum lipoferum + Mycorrhiza arbuscular, no inoculation). Drought stress decreased chlorophyll content and absorption of elements and increased proline, catalase, and peroxidase activity. Also, biofertilizers reduced the amount of proline, catalase, and peroxidase. They increased the amount of chlorophyll content and absorption of elements.