Impact of a Synthetic Microbial Community on Salvia officinalis Under Optimal and Reduced Irrigation
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Type
article
Volume
11
Issue
4
Journal
Abstract
Water scarcity can negatively affect crop yield, posing a significant threat to
global food security, such as drought. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), either
as single strains or synthetic communities (SynComs), has shown promise in alleviating
drought stress in various plant species. In this study, we examined the effects of water
limitation on Salvia officinalis and the potential of a SynCom composed of five phosphatesolubilizing,
auxin-producing, and/or nitrogen-fixing Gram-negative bacteria to enhance
plant growth and drought tolerance. Plant growth, morphology, physiology, and leaf
metabolomic profiles were assessed using a combination of physiological measurements
and LC-MS untargeted metabolomics. Mild water stress induced a conservative water-use
strategy in S. officinalis, characterized by increased root-to-shoot ratio and altered leaf morphology,
without compromising photosynthetic performance. SynCom inoculation under
well-watered conditions elicited drought-like responses, including transient reductions in
stomatal conductance. Leaf metabolomic analysis revealed that inoculation influenced the
abundance of several metabolites, including biogenic amines and dipeptides, under both
irrigation regimes. Notably, drought stress and SynCom inoculation increased histamine
and α-ketoglutaric acid levels, highlighting potential impacts on food quality. Under reduced
irrigation, inoculation further modulated leaf morphology and biomass allocation,
promoting thicker leaves and increased root biomass allocation. These results demonstrate
the ability of the SynCom to modulate plant physiology and metabolism in response to
both optimal and reduced irrigation, potentially enhancing drought resilience without
directly improving growth. The study also highlights the complex interactions among
microbial inoculation, plant stress responses, and leaf metabolite profiles, emphasizing
the importance of considering the effects on the production of bioactive compounds when
developing microbial inoculants for edible plants.
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