Genetic and Microbial Insights into Drought Stress Alleviation in Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L.)

Drought is a significant environmental stress that severely affects the development, productivity, and overall quality of various key crops. Tomato production is globally significant due to its economic importance and is considered the second horticultural crop produced in terms of yield and consumption worldwide, and yet, it is facing challenges posed by drought in agriculture. Drought stress negatively affects various characteristics of tomato plants, including physiological, genetic, biochemical, and morphological traits, leading to reduced seed production and fruit quality, and it also poses threat towards significant yield loss. In response to the need to mitigate the impacts of drought stress on tomato plants, the focus is on the assessment of the delicate interplay between genetic variables and microbial interactions. Some key genes, such as ABA-responsive genes, transcription factor genes, aquaporin genes, ROS-related genes, etc., and their function in drought tolerance in tomato plants have been discovered and analyzed to understand their role in stress adaptation. Additionally, microbial interactions, notably with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), mycorrhizal fungi, and <i>Pseudomonas</i>, have emerged as key components in the context of drought stress alleviation. Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, expanding the root system’s reach and improving water and nutrient availability. On the other hand, certain microorganisms, like <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, produce antioxidants such as catalase and superoxide dismutase, which scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), protect plant cells, and enhance resistance to oxidative damage during drought. Overall, this study emphasizes existing information on molecular principles underpinning stress tolerance and underscores the relevance of microbial-assisted stress amelioration and the interplay between genetic variables and microbial populations in relieving drought in tomato.