**13. Nitrogen-fixating bacteria and ECM fungi**

Recently, research has been conducted to assess the outcomes of biofertilizers, that is, the role of bacteria involved in nitrogen fixation and MF collectively on lenticels growth under rainfed conditions associated with plants with no application of *Azotobacter* bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. Results showed highly effective improvement in leaf moisture, increased amount of chlorophyll, reduced protein amount, and increased biomass production and seed production of plants compared with the control plant [18]. The valuable consequence of mycorrhizal fungi and *Azotobacter* applications showed positive results on photosynthesis in which plant growth was enhanced due to better water uptake and nutrient supply mainly under the shortage of water. Results provide an innovative indication about the effects of biological fertilizers on the growth of lentils and biomass production under rainfed environments. The focus should be on increasing the production of lentil in arid and semiarid area [21].
