An integrative proteome analysis of different seedling organs in tolerant and sensitive wheat cultivars under drought stress and recovery

Roots, leaves, and intermediate sections between roots and leaves (ISRL) of wheat seedlings show different physiological functions at the protein level. We performed the first integrative proteomic analysis of different tissues of the drought‐tolerant wheat cultivar Hanxuan 10 (HX‐10) and drought‐sensitive cultivar Chinese Spring (CS) during a simulated drought and recovery. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the roots (122), ISRLs (146), and leaves (163) showed significant changes in expression in response to drought stress and recovery. Numerous DEPs associated with cell defense and detoxifications were significantly regulated in roots and ISRLs, while in leaves, DEPs related to photosynthesis showed significant changes in expression. A significantly larger number of DEPs related to stress defense were upregulated in HX‐10 than in CS. Expression of six HSPs potentially related to drought tolerance was significantly upregulated under drought conditions, and these proteins were involved in a complex protein–protein interaction network. Further phosphorylation analysis showed that the phosphorylation levels of HSP60, HSP90, and HOP were upregulated in HX‐10 under drought stress. We present an overview of metabolic pathways in wheat seedlings based on abscisic acid signaling and important protein expression patterns.     

水分胁迫对沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)和中间锦鸡儿(Caragana intermedia)蒸腾作用影响的比较

多年生灌木沙棘和中间锦鸡儿是黄土高原生态重建的重要物种,设计人工模拟水分胁迫实验,测量沙棘和中间锦鸡儿蒸腾作用的各种指标,研究其蒸腾特性对水分胁迫的适应方式。结果表明,同等水分处理条件下,中间锦鸡儿单叶水平上的蒸腾速率高于沙棘。沙棘和中间锦鸡儿的蒸腾速率日进程在晴天、阴雨天和生长发育的不同阶段明显不同。夜间蒸腾占全天蒸腾的比例相当大,夜间蒸腾在不同物种之间、不同供水量之间存在明显差异,而且越干旱的环境比例越大。两种植物气孔阻力的季节变化格局在不同水分处理间大体相似。沙棘的昼夜蒸腾节律在各种水分处理条件下都表现出明显的气孔振荡现象,而中间锦鸡儿没有。叶片温度、光合有效辐射和气孔阻力是各种水分条件下沙棘和中间锦鸡儿蒸腾作用的共同的限制因子,相对于沙棘,中间锦鸡儿还更多地受到空气相对湿度的影响。     

胀果甘草种子萌发对干旱胁迫的生理响应

为探讨胀果甘草种子萌发对干旱胁迫的生理生化适应机制,以聚乙二醇(PEG)-6000模拟干旱胁迫,分析了胀果甘草(Glycyrrhiza inflata)种子萌发过程中发芽率(GR)、丙二醛(MDA)及游离脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖(SS)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性的动态变化规律。结果显示,水势为-0.1MPa时,GR达到100%,之后随着干旱胁迫增强而显著降低(P0.05);MDA、Pro含量及SOD、POD活性都表现出水势≥-0.2MPa时增加和-1.4MPa≤水势-0.2MPa时减少的明显趋势(P0.05),这4个指标两两之间的相关关系均达到显著水平(P0.05);而干旱胁迫增强使SS含量显著增加(P0.05)。     

Differential regulation of aquaporins, small GTPases and V-ATPases proteins in rice leaves subjected to drought stress and recovery

Mechanisms of drought tolerance are complex, interacting, and polygenic. This paper describes patterns of gene expression at precise physiological stages of drought in 35-day-old seedlings of Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare. Drought was imposed gradually for up to 15 days, causing abscisic acid levels to rise and growth to cease, and plants were then re-watered. Proteins were identified from leaf samples after moderate drought, extreme drought, and 3 and 6 days of re-watering. Label-free quantitative shotgun proteomics resulted in identification of 1548 non-redundant proteins. More proteins were down-regulated in early stages of drought but more were up-regulated as severe drought developed. After re-watering, there was notable down regulation, suggesting that stress-related proteins were being degraded. Proteins involved in signalling and transport became dominant as severe drought took hold but decreased again on re-watering. Most of the nine aquaporins identified were responsive to drought, with six decreasing rapidly in abundance as plants were re-watered. Nine G-proteins appeared in large amounts during severe drought and dramatically degraded once plants were re-watered. We speculate that water transport and drought signalling are critical elements of the overall response to drought in rice and might be the key to biotechnological approaches to drought tolerance.     

Proteomic analysis of the cold stress response in the moss,Physcomitrella patens

Cold stress has adverse effects on plant growth and development. Plants respond and acclimate to cold stress through various biochemical and physiological processes, thereby acquiring stress tolerance. To better understand the basis for tolerance, we carried out a proteomic study in the model moss, Physcomitrella patens, characterizing gametophore proteins with 2‐DE and mass spectroscopy. Following exposure to 0°C for up to 3 days, out of the more than 1000 protein spots reproducibly resolved, only 45 changed in abundance by at least 1.5‐fold. Of these, 35 were identified by tryptic digestion and mass spectroscopy. Photosynthetic proteins decreased, whereas many catabolic proteins increased. In addition, cold stress up‐regulated a variety of signaling, cytoskeleton, and defense proteins and few proteins in these classes were down‐regulated. Up‐regulated proteins include the 14‐3‐3‐like protein, actin, HSP70s, lipoxygenases, and cytochrome P450 proteins. These results point to pathways that are important for the mechanism of cold stress response in P. patens and by extension to the entire plant kingdom.     

Hydro-ecological effects of artificial Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides woods in the low mountainous upland of Western Liaoning Province, China

Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides are widely planted in the low mountainous upland and loess plateau and are the main species for afforestation in the semiarid region. To expound their roles in controlling severe soil and water losses and the mechanism of their roles, a study on the hydro-ecological effects of the woods was carried out during 2002–2004, using the runoff plot method set up in different woods and conducting a physical and chemical analyses of the soil. The experimental woods are located in the low mountainous upland of Western Liaoning Province, China where the annual average air temperature is 5.4–8.7°C, the annual precipitation is 450–580 mm, of which June averages 238.9 mm, and the annual average humidity is 38%–82%. The coverage rate of vegetation is 28%. The age of Pinus tabulaeformis carr. is 28 a, its distribution density is 2825 ind.·hm2, and its coverage rate is 0.75, while those of Hippophae rhamnoides are 11a, 8950 ind.·hm² and 0.90, respectively. The results showed that the intercepting rates of canopy in Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides were 23.08% and 32.28%. The litter intercepting rate averaged 14.17% in the Pinus tabulaeformis carr. woods and 20.8% in the Hippophae rhamnoides woods, respectively. The runoff depths in Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides were 2.516 mm and 0.893 mm, while erosion amounts were 15.57 t·km^?2 and 0.76 t·km^?2, respectively. Under the comprehensive action in the artificial woods, the runoff depth and erosion amount from the woodland were 1/20 and 1/50 of those from the wasteland, respectively, which indicated the immense hydro-ecological functions of Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides woods Litter and dead roots would decompose into organic matter and nutrient substances with the help of microbes, and would thus distinctly improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil. In comparison with the wasteland, the bulk density of soil decreased in the woodland, while the content of organic matter, total N, total K, and available K significantly increased. The physical properties of soil in the woodland, such as total porosity, noncapillary porosity, saturated moisture content, noncapillary water-holding capacity, were distinctly higher in surface soil (0–20 cm) than those in the soil at the depth of 20–40 cm. There was no significant difference of pH, total P, and available P among different land types or at different soil depths. The noncapillary water-holding capacities in Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides were 182.1% and 275.9% times those of wasteland, respectively.     

Hydro-ecological effects of artificial Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides woods in the low mountainous upland of Western Liaoning Province, China

Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides are widely planted in the low mountainous upland and loess plateau and are the main species for afforestation in the semiarid region. To expound their roles in controlling severe soil and water losses and the mechanism of their roles, a study on the hydro-ecological effects of the woods was carried out during 2002–2004, using the runoff plot method set up in different woods and conducting a physical and chemical analyses of the soil. The experimental woods are located in the low mountainous upland of Western Liaoning Province, China where the annual average air temperature is 5.4–8.7C, the annual precipitation is 450–580 mm, of which June averages 238.9 mm, and the annual average humidity is 38%–82%. The coverage rate of vegetation is 28%. The age of Pinus tabulaeformis carr. is 28 a, its distribution density is 2825 ind.·hm², and its coverage rate is 0.75, while those of Hippophae rhamnoides are 11a, 8950 ind.·hm² and 0.90, respectively. The results showed that the intercepting rates of canopy in Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides were 23.08% and 32.28%. The litter intercepting rate averaged 14.17% in the Pinus tabulaeformis carr. woods and 20.8% in the Hippophae rhamnoides woods, respectively. The runoff depths in Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides were 2.516 mm and 0.893 mm, while erosion amounts were 15.57 t·km^-2 and 0.76 t·km^-2, respectively. Under the comprehensive action in the artificial woods, the runoff depth and erosion amount from the woodland were 1/20 and 1/50 of those from the wasteland, respectively, which indicated the immense hydro-ecological functions of Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides woods Litter and dead roots would decompose into organic matter and nutrient substances with the help of microbes, and would thus distinctly improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil. In comparison with the wasteland, the bulk density of soil decreased in the woodland, while the content of organic matter, total N, total K, and available K significantly increased. The physical properties of soil in the woodland, such as total porosity, noncapillary porosity, saturated moisture content, noncapillary water-holding capacity, were distinctly higher in surface soil (0–20 cm) than those in the soil at the depth of 20–40 cm. There was no significant difference of pH, total P, and available P among different land types or at different soil depths. The noncapillary water-holding capacities in Pinus tabulaeformis carr. and Hippophae rhamnoides were 182.1% and 275.9% times those of wasteland, respectively.     

石生南亚毛灰藓在不同温度和干旱条件下的生理生化特性

通过模拟高温和干旱处理,对喀斯特石漠化生境中南亚毛灰藓(Homomallium simlaense(Mitt.)Broth.Mitt)在胁迫条件下生理特征的变化进行了研究。结果表明,南亚毛灰藓在高温和干旱条件下,各项生理指标均与相对含水量呈显著正相关;丙二醛、渗透调节物质和叶绿素含量均随处理时间的增加和含水量的降低而减少,但植株仍保持较高的可溶性糖含量以维持渗透压的平衡。在极端干旱和高温的条件下,南亚毛灰藓可通过降低生理活性,保持一定的可溶性糖含量度过胁迫期,同时丙二醛含量保持最低状态。高温和干旱处理结束后,进行复水处理,植株的渗透调节物质和丙二醛含量显著升高,光合作用迅速恢复。研究结果表明,南亚毛灰藓适应干旱和高温的极端条件可能与丙二醛含量有关,但复水结束后丙二醛含量升高,胁迫反而增强,说明南亚毛灰藓对高温和干旱具有一定耐受性,原因可能与其长期生存于喀斯特的石生环境有关。     

Combined effect of salicylic acid and potassium mitigates drought stress through the modulation of physio-biochemical attributes and key antioxidants in wheat

Improving physio-biochemical traits in wheat under drought stress conditions has received more research attention in recent years for better adaptability and higher yield. In this study, we explored the potential bio-physiological mechanisms underlying improved plant growth and water use efficiency in wheat following soil application of potassium (0 and 100 kg ha^?1) and seed primed salicylic acid (SA) (150 mg per L) and SA foliar application (100 mg per L) under drought stresses (100%, 60% and 30% FC). Two years' average data revealed that inducing drought stress resulted in a decrease in plant pigments content, growth traits, and plant water status however, the influence was substantially reduced with the combined application of K and SA under drought stress conditions. The SA foliar spray in combination with K had increased chlorophyll a (174% and 83%), chl b (130% and 192%), chl a + b (156% and 120), carotenoid (22% and 11%), proline contents (24% and 29%) leaf relative water content (24% and 29%) while reduced leaf WSD (17% and 20%), WRC (6% and 7%), and WUC (23% and 28%) under mild and severe drought stresses, respectively. The increase in grain yield by 41% and 37% with enhanced water use efficiency was obtained with combined foliar SA and K under mild and severe drought stress, respectively indicating its vital role in overcoming the deleterious effects of drought via regulation of osmotic and metabolic processes and stabilizes cell components. RDA analysis revealed that the studied traits were completely discriminated under severe stress than mild or no drought stress. A positive and significant association was found between plant pigments with seed yield whereas a negative and significant correlation existed between water leaf traits and plant pigments. It was concluded that both foliar SA and seed primed SA with K fertilization combat the adverse effects of drought and improved plant water status as well as growth and bio-physiological traits of wheat under drought stress conditions.     

Genetic, proteomic and metabolic analysis of the regulation of energy storage in rice seedlings in response to drought

We used proteomic analysis to determine the response of rice plant seedlings to drought-induced stress. The expression of 71 protein spots was significantly altered, and 60 spots were successfully identified. The greatest down-regulated protein functional category was translation. Up-regulated proteins were mainly related to protein folding and assembly. Additionally, many proteins involved in metabolism (e.g. carbohydrate metabolism) also showed differences in expression. cDNA microarray and GC-MS analysis showed 4756 differentially expressed mRNAs and 37 differentially expressed metabolites. Once these data were integrated with the proteomic analysis, we were able to elucidate the metabolic pathways affected by drought-induced stress. These results suggest that increased energy consumption from storage substances occurred during drought. In addition, increased expression of the enzymes involved in anabolic pathways corresponded with an increase in the content of six amino acids. We speculated that energy conversion from carbohydrates and/or fatty acids to amino acids was increased. Analysis of basic metabolism networks allowed us to understand how rice plants adjust to drought conditions.     

Comparative physiological,ultrastructural and proteomic analyses reveal sexual differences in the responses of Populus cathayana under drought stress

Drought is a major abiotic stress, limiting the survival and growth of young plants. However, little is known about sex‐dependent responses to drought at the proteome level. In this study, we carried out investigations on comparative proteomics, combined with physiological and organelle structure analyses, in males and females of Populus cathayana Rehd. Three‐month‐old poplar cuttings were treated at 30% of field capacity and at 100% field capacity as a control in a greenhouse for 40 days. Drought greatly inhibited plant growth, damaged the photosynthetic system and destructed the structures of chloroplasts, mitochondria and cellular membranes. However, males suffered less from the adverse effects of drought than did females. Using 2‐DE, 563 spots were detected, of which 64 spots displayed significant drought effect and 44 spots displayed a significant sex by drought interaction effect. The results suggest that the different responses to drought stress detected between the sexes have a close relationship to the changes in the expression of sex‐dependent proteins, including, e.g. photosynthesis‐related proteins, homeostasis‐related proteins and stress response proteins. These proteins could contribute to a physiological advantage under drought, giving potential clues for understanding sexual differences in the performance of plants in different environments.     

黑河上游灌丛建群种中国沙棘自由授粉子代父本分析和花粉流

利用SSR分子标记对中国沙棘（Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis Rousi）自由授粉的种子进行父本分析,研究其子代的父本来源和花粉散布模式。结果显示：在80%的置信水平上,193个子代中有104个个体可以确定花粉来源;在20个确定的父本中,16个为中国沙棘,4个为肋果沙棘（H.neurocarpa S.W.Liu et T.N.He）。传粉格局分析结果显示,中国沙棘有效花粉散布范围为3~71 m,平均距离为20.4 m,2株母本分别有87.23%和78.95%的有效花粉来自距其30 m的范围之内,研究结果表明中国沙棘自然种群以近距离传粉为主。此外,在黑河上游沙棘杂交带中,中国沙棘子代中的肋果沙棘花粉平均贡献率达到14.84%,表明中国沙棘与肋果沙棘存在较高的种间当代花粉流。     

Phylogeographic study of Chinese seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Rousi) reveals two distinct haplotype groups and multiple microrefugia on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau

Historical climate change can shape the genetic pattern of a species. Studies on this phenomenon provide great advantage in predicting the response of species to current and future global climate change. Chinese seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis) is one of the most important cultivated plants in Northwest China. However, the subspecies history and the potential genetic resources within the subspecies range remain unclear. In this study, we utilized two intergenic chloroplast regions to characterize the spatial genetic distribution of the species. We found 19 haplotypes in total, 12 of which were unique to the Chinese seabuckthorn. The populations observed on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) consisted of most of the haplotypes, while in the northeast of the range of the subspecies, an area not on the QTP, only four haplotypes were detected. Our study also revealed two distinct haplotype groups of the subspecies with a sharp transition region located in the south of the Zoige Basin. 89.96% of the genetic variation located between the regions. Mismatch analysis indicated old expansions of these two haplotype groups, approximately around the early stage of Pleistocene. Additional morphological proofs from existing studies and habitat differentiation supported a long independent colonization history among the two regions. Potential adaptation probably occurred but needs more genome and morphology data in future. Chinese seabuckthorn have an older population expansion compared with subspecies in Europe. The lack of large land ice sheets and the heterogeneous landscape of the QTP could have provided extensive microrefugia for Chinese seabuckthorn during the glaciation period. Multiple localities sustaining high‐frequency private haplotypes support this hypothesis. Our study gives clear insight into the distribution of genetic resources and the evolutionary history of Chinese seabuckthorn.     

天山北坡前山带12种植物对干旱胁迫和复水的响应及抗旱性评价

【目的】探讨12种植物对干旱胁迫的动态生理适应性及抗旱能力,筛选适宜在天山北坡前山带进行植被恢复的灌木树种。【方法】以新疆天山北坡前山带种植的刺蔷薇、柠条锦鸡儿、文冠果、山杏、柽柳、梭梭、中亚沙棘、蒙古沙棘（‘新棘1号’、‘新棘2号’、‘新棘3号’、‘新棘4号’、‘新棘5号’）共12种植物为研究对象,观测灌水之后土壤水分的时空分布变化,分析干旱胁迫和复水处理对植物光合气体交换参数、抗逆生理生化指标、叶绿素荧光参数的影响,利用主成分分析法评价12种植物的抗旱能力。【结果】（1）在干旱胁迫发生前后,各植物立地土壤表层（0—20 cm）水分散失最快,中层（20—40 cm）次之,底层（40—60cm）水分散失最慢,而不同植物因其生长策略不同,通过改变其生长情况来适应干旱;（2）随着干旱胁迫的加剧,植物叶片光合生理指标净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间二氧化碳浓度、PSⅡ潜在活性、 PSⅡ最大光化学效率、电子传递速率和叶绿素含量降低,而抗逆生理指标超氧化物歧化酶活性、脯氨酸含量、丙二醛含量及非光化学猝灭系数升高,复水之后各指标都有一定程度的恢复,但均未达到初始水平;（3）主成分分析结果显示,净光合速率、叶绿素含量、电子传递效率和丙二醛含量等指标贡献率较大,梭梭、柽柳、刺蔷薇和柠条锦鸡儿抗旱性较强,中亚沙棘、‘新棘5号’、‘新棘1号’和山杏抗旱性次之,而‘新棘4号’、‘新棘3号’、文冠果和‘新棘2号’较弱。【结论】净光合速率、叶绿素含量、电子传递效率和丙二醛含量可作为评价各植物适应干旱胁迫的重要指标;新疆天山北坡前山带区域植被生态恢复过程中应优先考虑梭梭、柽柳、刺蔷薇及柠条锦鸡儿进行建植。     

Physiological responses of groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) to drought stress and its amelioration: a critical review

Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.), is an important legume cash crop for the tropical farmers and its seeds contain high amounts of edible oil (43–55%) and protein (25–28%). Even though it is a fairly drought-tolerant, production fluctuates considerably as a result of rainfall variability. To develop a water stress response function in groundnut, research works have been done to improve the performance under varying degrees of stress at various physiological stages of crop growth. This review summarizes recent information on drought resistance characteristics of groundnut with a view toward developing appropriate genetic enhancement strategies for water-limited environments. It is suggested that there are considerable gains to be made in increasing yield and stabilizing the yield in environments characterized by terminal drought stress and by shortening crop duration. Many traits conferring dehydration avoidance and dehydration tolerance are available, but integrated traits, expressing at a high level of organization are suggested to be more useful in crop improvement programs. Possible genetic improvement strategies are outlined, ranging from empirical selection for yield in drought environments to a physiological–genetic approach. It was also suggested that in view of recent advances in understanding drought resistance mechanisms, the later strategy is becoming more feasible. It is summarized that application of knowledge into practice in a systematic manner can lead to significant gains in yield and yield stability of the worlds groundnuts production. Research is needed to develop transferable technology to help farmers of arid and semi-arid regions. Increasing soil moisture storage by soil profile management and nutrient management for quick recovery from drought are some of the areas that need to be explored further.     

岷江干旱河谷区典型灌木对干旱胁迫的生理生化响应

以岷江干旱河谷区6种典型山地灌木[沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)、羊蹄甲(Bauhinia faberi)、白刺花(Sorphora davidii)、锦鸡儿(Caragana arborescens)、三颗针(Berberis sargentiana)、黄栌(Cotinus szechuanensis)]为试材,采用盆栽试验研究了土壤自然干旱胁迫对苗木叶片抗氧化保护酶活性、膜伤害程度以及渗透调节物质的影响,探讨植物应对土壤干旱逐渐加剧的生理生态适应机理。结果表明,植物不同抗氧化保护酶对干旱胁迫及随之而来的氧化胁迫的响应存在一定差异。各灌木的超氧化物歧化酶随着干旱胁迫的增强呈先上升后下降,过氧化物酶在整个胁迫期间表现为逐渐升高,过氧化氢酶的升高则主要发生在胁迫的中后期,表明不同胁迫时期对植物体起主导作用的保护酶不同,三者表现为相互协调的作用方式。随着干旱胁迫的增强,各灌木的丙二醛呈缓慢增加趋势,细胞的膜脂过氧化作用逐渐加强,植物开始遭受一定程度的毒害。沙棘和羊蹄甲叶片的质膜相对透性随胁迫的增强呈现先升后降最终回到初始水平的特点,表明植物可以通过干旱锻炼获得一定的抗旱能力。白刺花和黄栌叶片的质膜相对透性在胁迫的0—4 d保持不变,从8 d开始大幅上升并一直维持在较高水平,说明胁迫初期植物细胞膜的结构和功能还很完整,生理活动仍能正常进行,但从中期开始细胞膜遭受严重破坏。随着干旱胁迫的增强,各灌木叶片的脯氨酸总体均呈增加趋势,表明干旱胁迫下植物通过积累脯氨酸以提高细胞的渗透调节能力。主成分分析表明,6种灌木的抗旱能力由强到弱依次为:羊蹄甲、沙棘、锦鸡儿、黄栌、白刺花、三颗针。综合分析表明,干旱河谷区几种典型灌木可通过提高抗氧化酶活性并积累渗透调节物质对干旱胁迫进行积极的反馈,以减弱逆境胁迫下活性氧的危害,提高细胞的渗透调节能力,减轻细胞遭受的损伤。     

Synergistic effects of biofilm-producing PGPR strains on wheat plant colonization,growth and soil resilience under drought stress

Drought stress substantially impedes crop productivity throughout the world. Microbial based approaches have been considered a potential possibility and are under study. Based on our prior screening examination, two distinct and novel biofilm-forming PGPR strains namely Bacillus subtilis-FAB1 and Pseudomonas azotoformans-FAP3 are encompassed in this research. Bacterial biofilm development on glass surface, microtiter plate and seedling roots were assessed and characterized quantitatively and qualitatively by light and scanning electron microscopy. Above two isolates were further evaluated for their consistent performance by inoculating on wheat plants in a pot-soil system under water stresses. Bacterial moderate tolerance to ten-day drought was recorded on the application of individual strains with wheat plants; however, the FAB1 + FAP3 consortium expressively improved wheat survival during drought. The strains FAB1 and FAP3 displayed distinct and multifunctional plant growth stimulating attributes as well as effective roots and rhizosphere colonization in combination which could provide sustained wheat growth during drought. FAB1 and FAP3-induced alterations cooperatively conferred improved plant drought tolerance by controlling physiological traits (gs, Ci, E, iWUE and P_N), stress indicators (SOD, CAT, GR, proline and MDA content) and also maintained physico-chemical attributes and hydrolytic enzymes including DHA, urease, ALP, protease, ACP and β glucosidase in the soil. Our findings could support future efforts to enhance plant drought tolerance by engineering the rhizobacterial biofilms and associated attributes which requires in-depth exploration and exploiting potential native strains for local agricultural application.