Maize: Could Microbes Be the Drought-Resilience Tool We’ve Been Overlooking?

With one of the driest springs on record in the UK, many crops are already running the gauntlet before summer has even begun. While we’re not a semi-arid country by definition, this kind of extended early-season dryness is starting to feel uncomfortably familiar. That’s why a new piece of research out of Plant Science caught my attention — and it might just offer a glimmer of hope.

The study looked at maize grown under dry conditions, and tested how it responded when inoculated with beneficial microbes — specifically, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). They tried them individually and together, and the results were impressive.

What They Found:

• 🌿 Stronger Photosynthesis – Co-inoculated plants had up to 85% more chlorophyll and 65% better photosynthetic rates. That means better energy capture and growth, even under water stress.

• 🌾 Improved Nutrient Uptake – Nutrient levels in the plant went up significantly:

  • Nitrogen: +38–108%

  • Phosphorus: +32–80%

  • Potassium: +44–156%

  These were measured in both roots and shoots — showing better nutrient flow through the whole plant.

• 🧬 Hormonal Boost – The microbes helped stimulate natural plant hormones linked to stress tolerance and growth — think of it like switching on the plant’s internal support systems.

• 🚜 More Efficient Biomass Accumulation – Especially around silking and pre-harvest, plants grew more effectively, allocating nutrients better and building more above-ground biomass.

Why This Matters for Us

Okay, the trial was done in semi-arid conditions — but the physiological stress on the plants is very similar to what we’re seeing in parts of the UK right now. With little to no rain in the forecast and crops just beginning to enter key growth stages, the need for drought resilience has never been clearer.

The takeaway? Using beneficial microbes like AM fungi and PGPR might be one of the smartest tools we can bring into regenerative and resilient farming systems — particularly as a foliar or seed treatment in spring-sown crops or at key stress points in the season.

Final Thought

We talk a lot about biology being the answer — and this is a great example of what that might look like in practice. Supporting the plant’s microbiome isn’t just a soil health strategy — it’s also a route to better drought tolerance, nutrient efficiency, and ultimately yield stability.

You can read the full paper here if you're into the detail:👉 ScienceDirect – Plant Science, 2025