Abstract: Four PGPR strains, B9601Y2, FZB42, B2 and B9 were used for dressing seeds of broad bean at the concentration of 5×108 CFU/mL before seeding. Under serious drought during whole growth period, all these strains could enhance the growth of broad bean in comparison with negative control: obviously earlier seed germination, higher plant at seedling stage, increasing weight of above and underground parts and more pod number. The pods after dressing seeds of broad bean with B9601Y2, FZB42, B2 and B9 were increased by 0.65, 0.50, 0.05 and 0.33, the fruiting pods per plant were 0.68, 0.53, 0.08 and 0.28, the pod weights were 4.56 g, 3.36 g, 2.13 g and 0.36 g, the seeds per plant were 1.18, 1.55, 0.80 and 0.15 g, the weights per 100seeds were 5.28 g，5.75 g, 3.72 g and 2.50 g, the grain yield of broad bean were 14.49%, 12.04%, 6.28% and 2.21%, respectively.

Key words: PGPR strain, broad bean, seed dressing, drought stress, grain yield