Enhancing Drought Resistance Conditions in Romaine Lettuce Through Azospirillum brasilense Inoculation

Abstract As climate change continues to plague drought in agriculture globally, new innovative solutions are needed. This study explored a potential solution to drought in romaine lettuce, a drought-sensitive leafy green through the inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria under water-based inoculation methods. This study measured the effect of A. brasilense on soil moisture, leaf length, leaf area, root dry mass, and chlorophyll absorbance. The results indicated that there was a correlation with A. brasilense improving the soil moisture of the romaine lettuce plants at the p = 0.037 level and the leaf area of the plants at the p < 0.01 level. However, A. brasilense did not correlate with improving conditions of romaine lettuce’ leaf length, chlorophyll A and B absorbance, or root dry weight. This suggests that when A. brasilense promotes improvements in drought tolerance, it may not cause changes in these specific mechanisms. The findings from this research indicate a potential solution to the growing global threat of drought.