Effect of priming by Bacillus thuringiensis AZP2 on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Stava) on average (±SD) growth characteristics, water use efficiency and antioxidant enzyme activities.

1Analysis of plant root was conducted by Root Reader3D Imaging and Analysis System and manually [7].2Twelve plants per treatment were sampled. Roots with adhering soil (RAS) were carefully separated from bulk soil by shaking. Soil and root dry mass (RT) was recorded after drying the samples at 105°C, and RAS/RT ratio was calculated.3Twelve plants were carefully separated from soil by shaking followed by washing the roots in distilled water and left to drain in Petri dishes with water to maintain humidity. Root system characteristics were evaluated by Zeiss LSM 710 microscope.4Water use efficiency is defined as the ratio of total plant dry mass per total water used.5MDHAR - Monodehydroascorbate reductase, GR- Glutathione reductase, SOD- Superoxide dismutase, CAT-Catalase.See Materials and Methods for enzyme extraction and activity measurements.*Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at p≤0.01. See Experimental procedures.