Improving drought tolerance in pre-sprouted sugarcane through inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria: assessment of biochemical activity, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance
Inoculation with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis mitigated the effects of water deficit in pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings by promoting root development, enhancing soil microbial activity, and increasing nutrient acquisition, thereby improving plant mineral nutrition and photosynthetic performance.