Effect of Rhizobacteria and Microalgae Treatments on Some Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Grown under Drought Stress

Background: In this study, the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) (normal=control, 1/2 reduced and 3/4 reduced) and some beneficial rhizobacteria (Azospirillum lipoferum, Bacillus megaterium) and microalgae (Chlorella saccharophilia) on some physiological and biochemical parameters of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) were investigated. Methods: The experiment was carried out in a fully controlled climate cabinet with 4 replications in factorial order according to the completely randomized plot trial design. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) plant was used as material. The study aims to investigate the effects of different deficit irrigation treatments (normal (control), 1/2 reduced and 3/4 reduced) and some rhizobacteria (Control= R0, Azospirillum lipoferum= R1, Bacillus megaterium= R2) and microalgae (Chlorella saccharophilia= R3) on the growth and development of fenugreek plants. Result: Relative water content and membrane durability index values of leaf tissues decreased due to deficit irrigation applications, while ion leakage in leaf tissues, MDA and total phenolic substance content increased in leaf tissues. However, it was determined that they had positive effects on ion leakage in leaf tissues, total phenolic and flavonoid substance amounts of rhizobacteria and microalgae applications, but, membrane durability index in leaf tissues and MDA contents were affected as negative compared to the control.