Abstract

This chapter summarizes the role of rhizosphere dwelling beneficial bacteria for the induction of tolerance against Drought and salt stresses in plants. A vast proportion of world’s agricultural land is rendered less productive or completely unproductive due to different factors including water scarcity and Salinity. Drought can be due to insufficient rainfall, dry spells or changes in rainfall patterns whereas salinity is because of excessive amount of salts in soil or water. This salinity can be primary or it can be secondary. Plants respond to drought and salinity via morphological, physiological and biochemical mechanisms. To overcome devastating effects of these stresses in plants, different strategies developed along with the traditional agricultural practices. An emerging strategy to overcome drought and salinity is the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, which enable plants to combat these stresses by various direct and indirect mechanisms. Rhizobacteria are under extensive research for their beneficial effects, uncomplicated and cost-effective application methods and their environment-friendly behaviors. Now also serve as best alternatives to chemical and traditional methods so as to overcome to tolerate and ameliorate harmful effects in plants.