This review examines the role of plant-associated microbiota in alleviating crop drought stress. It highlights the adverse effects of drought on crop growth, including germination, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, biomass, and yield. The review also discusses the response of soil microbial communities to drought stress and plant-microbe interactions under such conditions. Additionally, it explores the morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms through which microbes mitigate drought stress. Finally, the review outlines future research directions, emphasizing the characterization of specific rhizosphere microbiome species and the efficiency of rhizobacteria inoculants under drought conditions. These advancements will enhance our understanding of the complex interactions between crops and microbes, ultimately improving crop resistance to drought stress through the application of beneficial drought-adaptive microbes.This review examines the role of plant-associated microbiota in alleviating crop drought stress. It highlights the adverse effects of drought on crop growth, including germination, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, biomass, and yield. The review also discusses the response of soil microbial communities to drought stress and plant-microbe interactions under such conditions. Additionally, it explores the morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms through which microbes mitigate drought stress. Finally, the review outlines future research directions, emphasizing the characterization of specific rhizosphere microbiome species and the efficiency of rhizobacteria inoculants under drought conditions. These advancements will enhance our understanding of the complex interactions between crops and microbes, ultimately improving crop resistance to drought stress through the application of beneficial drought-adaptive microbes.