Establishment of actinobacteria–Satureja hortensis interactions under future climate CO2-enhanced crop productivity in drought environments of Saudi Arabia

Drought is a significant global constraint on agricultural production and food security. As a promising approach to improve plant growth and yield under challenging conditions, plant growth-promoting actinobacteria has attracted much interest. Further, elevated levels of atmospheric CO₂ (eCO₂) may promote the plant–actinobacteria interactions which could be effective to improve the plant growth for food production. Herein, we have investigated the impact of actinobacteria and/or CO₂ on biomass production, photosynthesis, macronutrients, levels of organic acids, amino acids, and essential oils as well as antioxidant activities of Satureja hortensis under water-deficit conditions. Among different actinobacterial isolates evaluated for development of secondary metabolites and biological activities, Ac9 was highly capable of producing flavonoids, and it also showed high antioxidant and microbial activities. It markedly induced the plant growth, photosynthesis, and global metabolic improvement, under water-deficit conditions. Interestingly, treatment with Ac9 in combination with eCO₂ substantially minimized drought stress–induced biomass and photosynthesis reductions in Satureja hortensis. Improved photosynthesis by Ac9 and/or eCO₂ induced the primary and secondary metabolisms in drought-stressed plants. The levels of the majority of the detected organic acids, essential oil, and amino acids were further improved as a result of the synergistic action of Ac9 and eCO₂, as compared to the individual treatments. Furthermore, Ac9 or eCO₂ significantly improved the antioxidant activities in stressed plants; however, much more positive impact was obtained by their synchronous application. Thus, the current study suggests that actinobacterial treatment induces global metabolic changes in water-stressed Satureja hortensis, the effects that have been much more strengthened under eCO₂.