Water stress is one important abiotic stress with negative impacts on plant productivity. In order to ameliorate abiotic stress, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as Bacillus subtilis, can be used due to their positive effects on plant physiology. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of B. subtilis on the performance of maize and common bean under water deficit conditions. The study was performed in a plant growth chamber and the growth, gas exchange parameters and antioxidant activity were evaluated. B. subtilis promoted the growth of common bean and maize, and also increased the water use efficiency. The inoculation with B. subtilis increased leaf water content and the regulation of stomata, without damaging photosynthetic rates. Overall, B. subtilis decreased antioxidant activities in both plants. The results suggest that B. subtilis could be used as inoculants for common bean and maize to protect against water stress.

水分胁迫是一种重要的非生物胁迫，会对植物的生产力产生负面影响。为了减轻非生物胁迫，由于枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）等对植物生理的积极作用，因此可以使用植物促生根瘤菌（PGPR）。本研究旨在评估枯草芽孢杆菌在缺水条件下对玉米和普通豆性能的影响。该研究在植物生长室中进行，并评估了植物的生长，气体交换参数和抗氧化剂活性。枯草芽孢杆菌促进了普通豆类和玉米的生长，并提高了水分利用效率。枯草芽孢杆菌的接种在不损害光合速率的情况下增加了叶片的水分含量和气孔的调节。总体而言，枯草芽孢杆菌降低了两种植物的抗氧化活性。结果表明枯草芽孢杆菌可以用作普通豆类和玉米的接种剂，以防止水分胁迫。