<p>Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are known to enhance phosphorus (P) availability in low-P soils, yet genotype-specific root architectural responses to PSB remain poorly understood in common bean. In the present study 20 diverse bean genotypes were evaluated for laboratory and greenhouse scored root traits under PSB inoculated (PSB +) and PSB uninoculated () condition, to get useful insights into the role of bacterial inoculation on root architectural plasticity for improved P acquisition. Wide variation was observed for lab and greenhouse scored root and shoot traits. Basal root growth angle ranged from 28.84⁰ to 54.68⁰, while as basal root number ranged from 7.67 to 13.23. Bacterial inoculation significantly affected shoot and root traits with largest increase observed in shoot biomass, followed by leaf phosphorus, root biomass, and plant height. Under PSB + condition, leaf phosphorus was significantly correlated with root depth, root biomass, root shoot ratio and root dry weight. Number of leaves and shoot biomass were significantly correlated plant root depth and root biomass. In case of principal component analysis (PCA) for gross root and shoot traits, first two PCs accounted for 64.80% and 59.20% of variation under PSB + and PSB − conditions respectively. Mean Response Quotient (RQ), that is the ratio of trait means in inoculated and uninoculated conditions, averaged across all traits as a ratio of trait value in PSB + and PSB − conditions, had a mean value of 1.41, with range of 0.97–2.29. Root scanning of contrasting genotypes revealed that fine root area in upper 30&#xa0;cm was modulated under PSB inoculation leading to higher leaf P content in genotype WB-216. The study revealed that common bean genotypes respond differently to soil P via root architectural modulations and that PSB significantly impacts root architecture.</p>