<p>Drought stress is one of the principal stresses that dramatically affects the growth and productivity of plants. The objective of the study is to evaluate the drought stress-ameliorating effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on sorghum plants by monitoring nutrient uptake, osmotic adjustment, and the stress-responsive antioxidant defence system. A pot experiment was conducted with two AMF species, <i>Funneliformis mosseae</i> and <i>Rhizophagus intraradices</i>, in combination (Fm + Ri-treated) under two different drought stress conditions (Poly Ethylene Glycol, PEG-6000 at 0%, 10%, and 20%; i.e., Ѱw = -0.001, -0.54, and − 1.09&#xa0;MPa, respectively) for 120 days. The study revealed that in 10% PEG-stressed plants, total biomass, nitrate, phosphate, chlorophyll, total carbohydrate, and proline contents increased in Fm + Ri-treated plants compared with AMF-untreated controls at 60 days of growth. While 20% PEG stress (Ѱw = -1.09&#xa0;MPa) significantly decreased AMF colonization, growth, and biochemical parameters compared to the AMF-untreated control and AMF-treated 0% PEG-stressed plants. The antioxidant enzyme activities in AMF-treated plants were higher than in AMF-untreated control plants, whereas lipid peroxidase (malondialdehyde, MDA) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) content were lower in AMF-treated plants at 60 days. This suggests that AMF-treated plants exhibited increased growth parameters, accompanied by reduced MDA and H₂O₂ levels, compared with the 0% drought-stressed control sets. In AMF-inoculated plants, the mineral contents were increased in 10% PEG-stressed conditions compared to AMF-untreated control plants. Thus, a consortium of AMF species (<i>F. mosseae</i> and <i>R. intraradices</i>) may be an effective drought stress ameliorator for sorghum cultivation in drought-prone agricultural regions, thereby promoting the judicious use of groundwater to achieve targeted crop yields and sustainable development.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>