Effect of rhizobacteria and cytokinins application on wheat growth and yield under normal vs drought conditions

Summary

Drought is a major constraint for agricultural productivity worldwide, and it is likely to further increase. Different strategies are required to mitigate drought stress in plants. In a two-year study that conducted at agronomic research area of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, we investigated the role of rhizobacteria (RB) and cytokinins (Ck) on drought tolerance, nutrient uptake, yield, and physiological parameters in wheat under drought stress at different developmental stages (tillering, anthesis, and grain filling). Thirteen treatments used were well-watered control plants without RB or Ck, drought at tillering, anthesis, or grain filling without or with RB alone, Ck alone, or combination of both (RB+Ck). In both years, and at the different stages, measured parameters were highes