Abstract:[Background] The frequent occurrence of drought in the world has seriously affected both the yield and quality of crops. An economically efficient method to alleviate it is urgently needed. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are expected to directly improve drought tolerance in crops. [Objective] In arid environments, the species composition and distribution patterns of microbial communities are unique. It is essential to study the genetic diversity and functional diversity of bacteria screened from arid soils. [Methods] Thirty strains of Bacillus spp. and Burkholderia spp. were collected and isolated from the arid areas in Inner Mongolia and Hainan provinces, respectively. These strains were subjected to drought tolerance analysis and biological characteristic analysis using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) to simulate drought stress. [Results] Cluster analysis categorized the drought tolerance of the 30 tested strains into 3 groups. The tested strains exhibited 3 growth patterns under different stress conditions: in the first type of growth pattern, there was no significant difference in OD600 value between the permeability potential of -0.2 mPa and 0 mPa; in the second type of growth pattern, the OD600 value of the strain decreased as permeability potential increased, and the strains which exhibited this growth pattern represent 43.33% of the total tested strains; in the third type of growth pattern, there was no significant difference in OD600 values at -0.6 mPa and -1.2 mPa permeation potential. The biological characteristics of the 30 tested strains revealed that each strain exhibited 1 to 4 characteristics of IAA, siderophore, urease, arginine decarboxylase, and biofilm, indicating the tested strains have potential plant growth-promoting functions. [Conclusion] Based on drought tolerance analysis and biological characteristic analysis, two superior drought resistance Bacillus strains, NC51 and NO89, were finally screened, both exhibiting the third type of growth pattern. These strains provide microbial resources for improving crop drought tolerance and developing microbial inoculants in the future.