Harnessing the phytobiome for resilience: Biofilm-forming PGPR mediate physiological adaptations through enhanced seed colonization and oxidative regulation to mitigate drought stress in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba.

Biofilm-forming plant growth-promoting bacteria significantly enhance drought resilience in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba by improving seed colonization and oxidative stress regulation.

• Why it matters: Understanding how the phytobiome contributes to plant resilience is crucial for developing sustainable solutions to climate-induced drought stress, especially in vulnerable agroecosystems.
• What they did: Nine thermohalotolerant, ACC-deaminase-producing PGPB strains were evaluated for biofilm formation, with biofilm-forming strains tested in pot assays under water deficit conditions to assess their effects on seedling vigor and oxidative homeostasis.
• The result: Biofilm-forming strains markedly improved seedling growth and modulated antioxidant responses, with strong correlations between biofilm formation, seed colonization, and enhanced drought tolerance, enabling the development of resilient bioinoculants.