Employing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for abiotic stress mitigation in plants: with a focus on drought stress

Abiotic stresses, particularly drought, pose a significant threat to global agriculture and affect crop yield and quality. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as a promising solution for mitigating these stresses and enhancing plant resilience. This review explores the role of PGPR in alleviating abiotic stress with a special focus on drought. PGPR contribute to stress tolerance through various mechanisms, including the production of phytohormones, such as indole-3-acetic acid, enhancement of nutrient uptake, and modulation of plant stress responses. These bacteria can improve soil structure, increase water retention, and promote the synthesis of osmoprotectants, which helps plants withstand drought conditions. This review examines recent advancements in our understanding of the molecular and physiological interactions between PGPR and plants under drought stress. This highlights how genetic modifications and synthetic biology can be leveraged to enhance PGPR efficacy. Furthermore, the integration of PGPR with other technologies, such as nanotechnology and biostimulants, has been discussed as a means of improving drought resistance in crops. Challenges in deploying PGPR, including variability in strain effectiveness and field application strategies, were also addressed. By synthesizing the current knowledge and identifying future research directions, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how PGPR can be employed to combat drought stress and support sustainable agriculture. These findings emphasize the potential of PGPR as a key component of integrated stress management strategies, offering a pathway for enhancing crop resilience and ensuring food security in the face of climate change.