Effect of pesticides on phosphate solubilization by Bacillus sphaericus and Pseudomonas cepacia

Intensive screening of phosphate solubilizing bacteria with genetic potential for increased tolerance to high salt, high pH and high temperature could enhance production of food and forage in semi-arid regions. Emphasizing particularly on this hypothesis 165 phosphate solubilizing bacteria was isolated. Among these, two cultures Bacillus sphaericus and Pseudomonas cepacia were selected on the basis of salt tolerance property and PS activity with different forms of phosphates. In the present investigation both these culture were assessed for the effect of six different pesticides, to confirm its successful realistic application as microbial inoculants in actual farm conditions. Both cultures showed better phosphate solubilizing activity with phosphate containing pesticides. Among these two isolates P. cepacia was a better performer in terms of phosphate solubilizing activity with different pesticides. It may be due to its well documented extra ordinary, versatile metabolic activity. The present study may prove them to be potential candidates to be used as microbial inoculants.