MITIGATION OF DROUGHT STRESS IN Solanaceae VEGETABLES THROUGH SYMBIOSIS WITH PLANT GROWTH - PROMOTING BACTERIA AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI. A REVIEW

Plants constitute dynamic systems with different strategies to face biotic and abiotic stress. Water deficit is one of the most challenging abiotic factors increased by climate change, affecting seriously the quality of soils and crop yields, decreasing photosynthetic rate, increasing the accumulation of free radicals, and modifying root morphology. In this regard, the potential role of the host plant - arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMP) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) interactions within the rhizosphere in the alleviation of drought stress is being deeply studied. These symbiotic relationships not only allow a major nutrient and water uptake, but also could be integrated as a sustainable approach to improve the growth and productivity of crops under water scarcity conditions. A better comprehension of the mechanisms of these synergies between PGPB and AMP with plants is becoming an important key to develop effective applications of these natural symbiosis. In this work, the highlighted knowledge concerning these associations and their effect in the response of plants under drought stress have been reviewed, focusing on the interactions described in Solanaceae vegetables, one of the most relevant crops in the Meditetranean area.