Integrated strength of osmotic potential and phosphorus to achieve grain yield of rice under water deficit by arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal ecosystem provides sustainability to plant integrity under drought situations. However, host plants that survive in drought frequently lose yield. The potential of Funneliformis mosseae (F), Claroideoglomus etunicatum (C), and Acaulospora fovaeta (A) was assessed to evaluate in indica rice cv. Leum Pua during booting stage under 21-day water withholding. The effects of three inoculation types; (i) F, (ii) F + C (FC), and (iii) F + C + A (FCA), on physiological, biochemical, and yield traits were investigated. The three types showed an induced total chlorophyll content in the host as compared to uninoculated plants. Total soluble sugars and free proline were less regulated by FC and FCA inoculated plants than by F inoculated plants under water deficit conditions. However, the FC and FCA inoculations increased phosphorus content, particularly in the shoots of water-stressed plants. In the three inoculations, the FCA dramatically improved plant osmotic potential adaptability under water deficit stress. Furthermore, even when exposed to the water deficit condition, panicle weight, grain number, and grain maturity were maintained in FCA inoculated plants. According to the findings, the increased osmotic potential and phosphorus content of the FCA-inoculated rice plant provide a protection sign against drought stress and will benefit food security in the future.