Drought Stress Alleviation in Plants by Soil Microbial Interactions

The biotic and abiotic stresses are major curtailment effects on crop production, food and its nutritional quality and most importantly global food security. A plant experiences various physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes under biotic and abiotic stresses that crashes overall plant development and growth. In order to increase crop productivity with doubling farmer income it becomes necessary to develop efficient low-cost technologies for biotic and abiotic stress management in field. Since microorganisms interaction is inherent part of ecosystems, so microbes are the native occupiers which exhibit extensive metabolic capacities to alleviate various stresses. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, arbuscular mycorrhiza, and actinomycetes increase plant growth under adverse conditions by regulating plant hormones, nutrition accession, induce antioxidative enzymes, and enhance the supply of minerals and nutrients. This chapter furnishes knowledge about the plant–microbial interactions under drought stress and the role of stress-adaptable microbes in relieving the same.