Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2007.3585.3591Zea mays L.) Under Water Deficit Stress]]>EhteshamiS.M. R.AghaalikhaniM. KhavaziK. ChaichiM. R.1220071020The effect of seed inoculation by phosphate solubilizing microorganisms on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays L. SC. 704) was studied in a field experiment. Positive effect on plant growth, nutrient uptake, grain yield and yield components in maize plants was recorded in the treatment receiving mixed inoculum of Glomus intraradices (AM) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf). Co-inoculation treatment significantly increased grain yield, yield components, harvest index, grain N and P, soil available P, root colonization percentage and crop WUE under water deficit stress. In some of investigated characteristics under well-watered conditions, chemical fertilizer treatment was higher than double inoculated treatments, but this difference was not significant. Seed inoculation only with AM positively affected the measured parameters as amount as co-inoculated treatments. According to the results showed in contrast to the inoculated treatments with AM+Pf and AM, the application of alone Pf caused a comparatively poor response. Therefore, this microorganism needs to a complement for its activity in soil. All of measured parameters in inoculated treatments were higher than uninoculated treatments under water deficit stress conditions. Furthermore, the investigated characteristics of co-inoculated plants under severe water deficit stress conditions were significantly lower than co-inoculated plants under well-watered and moderate-stressed conditions. Therefore it could be stated, these microorganisms need more time to fix and establishing themselves in soil. The present finding showed that phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms can interact positively in promoting plant growth as well as P uptake of maize plants, leading to plant tolerance improving under water deficit stress conditions.]]>Auge, R.M.,200111342Azcon, R.,198921639644Cakmakci, R., F. Donme, A. Aydin and F. Sahin,20063814821487Chung, H., M. Park, M. Madhaiyan, S. Seshadri, J. Song, H. Cho and T. Sa, 20053719701974Dobbelaere, S., A. Croonenborghs, A. Thys, D. Ptacek, Y. Okon and J. Vanderleyden,2002Azospirillum brasilense and A. irakense strains on development and nitrogen uptake of spring wheat and grain maize.]]>36284297Kormanik, P.P. and A.C. McGraw,19821982pp: 37-45pp: 37-45Kramer, P.J. and J.S. Boyer,1997Leinhos, V.,1994in vitro.]]>149135138Martens, D.A. and W.T. Frankenberger Jr.,199414C-indole-3-acetic acid and 3′-14C-tryptophan exposed to the roots of three wheat varieties.]]>166281290Prikryl, Z., V. Vancura and M. Wurst,198527159163Rincon, A., B. Ruiz-Diez, S. Garcia-Fraile, J.A.L. Garcia, M. Fernandez-Pascual, J.J. Pueyo and M.R. deFelipe,2005Pinus halepensis roots by Pseudomonas fluorescens and interaction with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus granulatus.]]>51303311Shaharoona, B., M. Arshad, Z.A. Zahir and A. Khalid,2006Pseudomonas spp. containing ACC-deaminase for improving growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in the presence of nitrogenous fertilizer.]]>3829712975Sharma, A.K.,20021st Edn.,Pages: 456Pages: 456Subramanian, K.S., C. Charest, L.M. Dwyer and R.I. Hamilton,19977515821591Subramanian, K.S., P. Santhanakrishnan and P. Balasubramanian,2006107245253Sylvia, D.M., L.C. Hammond, J.M. Bennett, J.H. Haas and S.B. Linda,199385193198Vosatka, V. and M. Gryndler,1999Pseudomonas putida modifies the development of Glomus fistulosum mycorrhiza and the response of potato and maize plants to inoculation.]]>11245251Wang, F., X. Lin, R. Yin and L. Wu,2006Elsholtzia splendens and Zea mays L. and the activities of phosphatase and urease in a multi-metal-contaminated soil under unsterilized conditions.]]>31110119Zaidi, A. and M.S. Khan,20052820792092