Effect of yeast application on soil health and root metabolic status of corn seedlings under drought stress

The soil enzymes are the heart of the biochemical reactions that occur in the soil saving the soil nutrients needed for plant growth. Recently yeast's importance as plant growth-promoting microorganisms has great attention. This study evaluated the effect of yeast application on the soil enzymes activity and root metabolic status in corn plants under drought stress. A pot experiment was performed. The pots were divided into two groups; the first group was used for yeast application, the other group was used as a non-treated group. Each group was subdivided into two groups according to water treatment. One is 75%; the other is 45% of field capacity. Soil and root samples were taken at 5, 10, and 15 days after drought application for analysis. Soil samples were subjected to NPK and soil enzymes activity analysis. The root samples were subjected to determination NPK content, the osmolytes, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes. The present results showed that yeast application upregulated the soil enzymes under drought which protected the NPK content in the soil. Therefore NPK in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the non-treated group. Also, yeast application improved the roots' osmotic status, the treated group showed significant osmolytes accumulation. Besides that the antioxidant enzymes activity status in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the non-treated group which significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation in the treated group. Yeast application can be an effective promising tool for improving the corn plant tolerance against drought stress.