Halotolerant plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria modulate gene expression and osmolyte production to improve salinity tolerance and growth in Capsicum annum L.

Some rhizobacteria have demonstrated a noteworthy role in regulation of plant growth and biomass production under biotic and abiotic stresses. The present study was intended to explicate the ameliorative consequences of halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (HPGPR) on growth of capsicum plants subjected to salt stress. Salt stress was ascertained by supplementing 1 and 2 g NaCl kg-1 soil. The HPGPR positively invigorated growth attributes, chlorophyll, protein contents, and water use efficiency (WUE) of supplemented capsicum plants under salinity stress conditions. Bacillus fortis strain SSB21 caused highest significant increase in shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry biomass production of capsicum plants grown under saline conditions. This multi-trait bacterium also increased biosynthesis of proline and up-regulated the expression profiles of stress related genes including CAPIP2, CaKR1, CaOSM1, and CAChi2. On the other hand, B. fortis strain SSB21 inoculated plants exhibited reduced level of ethylene, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). All these together contribute to activate physiological and biochemical processes involved in the mitigation of the salinity induced stress in capsicum plants.