Investigation on Phosphate Solubilization Potential of Agricultural Soil Bacteria as Affected by Different Phosphorus Sources,Temperature, Salt,and pH

Ten phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains belonging to genera Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Serratia, Klebsiella, and Aeromonas were tested for mineral phosphate solubilization activity in Pikovskaya's broth using different phosphate sources at four temperatures (15, 25, 35, and 45 ^οC). Dicalcium and tricalcium phosphate were solubilized more effectively (≥1000 mg L^?1) than ferric and rock phosphate (≥100 mg L^?1) and 35 °C was found to be the optimum temperature. Although Klebsiella and Aeromonas spp. are well known for their dinitrogen (N₂)–fixing ability, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of inorganic phosphate solubilization by Klebsiella terrigena and Aeromonas vaga. Interestingly, A. vaga BAM-77 is the most efficient strain at solubilizing inorganic phosphorus (P) even in the presence of 8% sodium chloride (NaCl) at pH 10. These findings indicate that all four strains are efficient P solubilizers under variable conditions of temperature, pH, and P source and thus can be recommended for P fertilization in different soils.     

Characterization of phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads from the rhizosphere of Aloe vera (L.)

Soil phosphorous (P) deficiency is a major constraint to plant production which is overcome by adding inorganic-phosphate as chemical fertilizers. Fluorescent pseudomonads are the diverse group of bacteria able to mobilize sparingly soluble phosphate form. Total three hundred seven fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates were obtained from the Aloe barbadensis (Miller) rhizosphere. These Pseudomonas strains were further evaluated in vitro for their ability to solubilize phosphate and to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore and 1-aminocyclopropane 1- carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. Fifty three (36.8%) isolates produced IAA and 52 (36.1%) isolates produced siderophores whereas 36 (25.0%) and 31 (21.5%) isolates produced HCN and ACC deaminase, respectively. A positive correlation existed between siderophore and ACC deaminase producers. Cluster analysis showed rhizosphere as the major factor influencing the ecological distribution and physiological characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing PSB were identified as Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas sp. and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida with highest phosphate solubilization ability. In conclusion, these phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads would help in understanding their role in phosphorus solubilization and identification of potent phosphorus solubilizers from the rhizosphere of commercially grown A. barbadensis.     

Isolation and characterization of mineral phosphate-solubilizing bacteria naturally colonizing a limonitic crust in the south-eastern Venezuelan region

With the aim to explore the possible role of mineral phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in phosphorus (P) cycling in iron-rich, acidic soils, we conducted a survey of PSB naturally colonizing a limonitic crust in the south-east region of Venezuela (Bolívar State). A total of 130 heterotrophic bacterial isolates showing different degrees of mineral tri-calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂)-solubilizing activities were isolated from NBRIP plates. In contrast, no isolates showing iron phosphate (FePO₄)- or aluminum phosphate (AlPO₄)-solubilizing activities were detected by this experimental approach. The 10 best Ca₃(PO₄)₂-solubilizers were selected for further characterization. These isolates were shown to belong to the genera Burkholderia, Serratia, Ralstonia and Pantoea by partial sequencing analysis of their respective 16S rRNA genes. All the PSB isolates were able to mediate almost complete solubilization of Ca₃(PO₄)₂ in liquid cultures; in contrast, the PSB isolates were less effective when solubilizing FePO₄. Two groups of PSB isolates were clearly differentiated on the basis of their Ca₃(PO₄)₂ solubilization kinetics. Acidification of culture supernatants seemed to be the main mechanism for P solubilization. Indeed, gluconic acid was shown to be present in the supernatant of five isolates. Furthermore, detection of genes involved in the production of this organic acid was possible in three isolates by means of a PCR protocol.     

Soil organic carbon and phosphorus availability regulate abundance of culturable phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in paddy fields

Low availability of phosphorus(P) is a major constraint for optimal crop production, as P is mostly present in its insoluble form in soil. Therefore,phosphate-solubilizing bacteria(PSB) from paddy field soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, India were isolated, and their abundance was attempted to be correlated with the physicochemical characteristics of the soils. Ninety-four PSB were isolated on Pikovskaya's agar medium, and quantitative phosphate solubilization was evaluated using NBRIP medium. The isolates solubilized P up to a concentration of 1 006 μg mL~(-1) from tricalcium phosphate with the secretion of organic acids. These isolates were identified by 16 S rRNA gene sequence comparison, and they belonged to Gammaproteobacteria(56 isolates),Firmicutes(28 isolates), Actinobacteria(8 isolates), and Alphaproteobacteria(2 isolates). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identification by clustering the isolates in the clade of the respective reference organisms. The correlation analysis between PSB abundance and physicochemical characteristics revealed that the PSB population increased with increasing levels of soil organic carbon, insoluble P, K~+, and Mg~(2+). The promising PSB explored in this study can be further evaluated for their biofertilizer potential in the field and for their use as potent bio-inoculants.     

Comparison of in vitro solubilization activity of diverse phosphate-solubilizing bacteria native to acid soil and their ability to promote Phaseolus vulgaris growth

To identify plant growth promotion ability of phosphorus-solubilizing native bacteria, we have examined a collection of isolates representing the diversity of culturable phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from acid soils of the northeast of Argentina. Assays in growth medium supplemented with tricalcium phosphate revealed different phosphorus solubilization activity and temporal patterns of solubilization. Acidification of the broth medium coincided with phosphorus solubilization. The isolates were grouped according to their Rep fingerprinting profiles and phylogenetically classified by 16S rDNA and biochemical analyses. These isolates were assigned to the genera Enterobacter, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Burkholderia, and Exiguobacterium. Four isolates showing high phosphorus solubilizing activity in in vitro assays were inoculated on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris); some of them promoted plant growth and increased photosynthesis and the P and N content of leaves. The results indicated that the ability to in vitro solubilize P is not necessarily associated to the promotion of plant growth.     

Identification and performance of stress‐tolerant phosphate‐solubilizing bacterial isolates on Tagetes minuta grown in sodic soil

Tagetes minuta is moderately adapted to a wide range of climate and due to its tolerance to larger salt, pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in soil it is considered to be a potential crop for salt‐affected soil. Its tolerance to adverse condition and association with halophilic microbes can combine to play a greater role in crop production and improvement in soil health. After screening, the potential phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB) RS‐1, RS‐2 and RS‐3 were isolated from sodic soils and tested in pot experiment using a naturally occurring sodic soil of pH 9.3 and an ESP of about 45. Under optimum conditions in the laboratory, these bacteria showed phosphorus solubilization potential in liquid medium containing tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Inoculation of PSB significantly increased plant growth in terms of height, number of branches, dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake. Significant changes were also found in content and quality of essential oil. It was observed that PSB also improved the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. The bacterial strains tested in this study have the potential for use as a biofertilizer in sustaining the growth of Tagetes minuta in salt stress soil and mitigating soil stress problems.     

Plant Growth Promoting Traits of Indigenous Phosphate Solubilizing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Chilli (Capsicumannuum L.) Rhizosphere

Phosphorus (P) is the second key nutrient for plants and it affects several attributes of plant growth. Identification of a potent phosphate solubilizing microorganism capable of transforming the insoluble P into soluble and plant-accessible forms is considered as the best eco-friendly option for providing inexpensive P to plants. Hence, this study was focused to assess the growth enhancement traits of the phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) isolated from chili rhizosphere. Twelve PSB were isolated by enrichment culture technique and its P solubilization efficiency was checked using Vanadomolybdate phosphoric yellow color method. Among them, two potent strains PS2 and PS3, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa KR270346 and KR270347 based on biochemical and molecular characterization, were selected for further study. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates interestingly showed the presence of various potential plant growth-promoting properties including indole acetic acid and siderophore production. The growth enhancement effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates on chilli showed promising results, and the growth parameters were found to be statistically signi?cant when compared to control. The results demonstrated an eloquent impact on various aspects, namely microbial count and PSB population, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity, available phosphorous in the soil, plant nutrient uptake, and yield parameters. Inoculation of these two isolates together with the addition of rock phosphate increased comparable amount of available P and these treatments were statistically at par throughout the growth period. The results con?rmed the growth-promoting potential of the isolates to develop as biofertilizers either alone or as components of integrated nutrient management systems.     

Isolation and characterization of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from betel nut (Areca catechu) and their effects on plant growth and phosphorus mobilization in tropical soils

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were isolated and characterized from the rhizosphere and bulk soils of Areca catechu plants. A long history of phosphate fertilizer use has elicited a direct effect on the incidence of soil PSB. Their abundance and ability to solubilize insoluble phosphate were significantly greater (P?<?0.0001) in soils with low available phosphorus (P) content than in other soil types. Three efficient PSB strains, namely, ASL12, ASG34, and ADH302, were identified as Acinetobacter pittii, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter cloacae by characterizing 16S rRNA sequences and biochemical characteristics; they produced gluconic acid at concentrations of 7862.4, 4306.5, and 2663.8 mg L^?1, respectively. The highest amount of solubilized P was determined in Pikovskaya (PVK) medium for the bacterial strain ASL12. The secretion of gluconic acid was related to the available P of rhizosphere soils and P solubilization. Under shaded conditions, the application of these three strains significantly improved plant height, shoot and root dry weight, and nutrient uptake of A. catechu seedlings. A further increase in P solubilization was observed by co-inoculating the three strains and also applying tricalcium phosphate (TCP) or aluminum phosphate (AP). A significant (P?<?0.05) correlation was also observed between P-solubilization activity and A. catechu plant growth in pot experiments. Thus, the three strains can be potentially applied as inoculants in tropical and aluminum-rich soils.     

Inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis B1 increases available phosphorus and growth of peanut in acidic soil

Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms play an important role in plant nutrition by enhancing phosphorus (P) availability to roots through converting the insoluble phosphates into soluble ions. We isolated phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from acidic soil (Ultisols) in the field from the layer of 0–150 mm at a tea garden located at 28°38′26″ N and 116°24′27″ E. The capacity of bacterial isolates to solubilize mineral phosphate was tested on aluminum phosphate (AlPO₄) in liquid medium. Among these PSB, isolate B1 (identified as Bacillus thuringiensis) exhibited the maximum P-solubilizing ability and was particularly efficient at solubilizing AlPO₄ (up to 321 mg L^?1) in vitro. The isolate B1 was inoculated to an acidic soil to study its effect on phosphate solubilization and growth of peanuts (Arachis hypogeae). The Olsen-P in the tested soil increased from 14.7 to 23.4 mg kg^?1, with solubilization of 16.4 mg kg^?1 soil of Occluded-P after 14-day incubation. The inoculation by B1 significantly increased plant height (from 37.7 to 45.7 cm), number of branches (from 34.0 to 52.7 per plant), hundred-seed weight (from 42.1 to 46.9 g) and crude protein content (from 243.5 to 268.2 g kg^?1 dry weight). The phosphate-solubilizing B. thuringiensis strain B1 showed potential as a biological phosphorus fertilizer.     

两株解磷细菌的解磷活性及作用机制研究

解磷细菌在增加土壤可溶性磷含量、提高磷肥利用效率方面具有重要作用。为选筛高效解磷菌、探讨其解磷机制,本文利用平板溶磷圈法筛选解磷细菌,采用钼锑抗比色法研究其解磷活性,苯磷酸二钠法研究其磷酸酶活性,利用薄层层析分析其产生的有机酸,根据生理生化特征和16S r RNA基因序列系统发育分析,确定其分类学地位。结果表明,菌株JXJ-11和JXJ-15对植酸钙的降解活性很强,3 d后培养液中可溶性磷浓度分别增加219 mg·L~(-1)和216 mg·L~(-1);对磷酸钙降解活性较弱,最高可溶性磷浓度仅为植酸钙的21.79%~30.37%;解磷细菌可分泌酸性、中性和碱性磷酸酶,降解不溶性磷,可能产生丙酸和琥珀酸等有机酸,降低培养液p H,增加可溶性磷浓度。两株细菌均为革兰氏阴性杆菌,无芽孢,产生硫化氢,其中菌株JXJ-11的16S rRNA基因序列与Sphingomonas melonis DAPP-PG 224T和S.aquatilis JSS7T相似性最高(99.79%),菌株JXJ-15的16S rRNA基因序列与Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp.pneumoniae DSM 30104T相似性最高(99.73%),根据以上信息,确定菌株JXJ-11和JXJ-15分别是鞘氨醇单胞菌属和克雷白氏杆菌属的成员。菌株JXJ-11和JXJ-15的解磷机制包括分泌有机酸和磷酸酶,其中JXJ-11在微生物磷肥研制方面具有潜在应用价值。     

K3解磷菌的解磷机理及其对缓冲容量的响应

以对磷酸三钙具有高效溶解作用且对玉米苗生长有促生效果的假单胞菌K3为模式菌株,采用NBRIP液体培养基研究了解磷菌K3的解磷机制及缓冲容量对其解磷量的影响。结果表明,解磷菌K3液体摇瓶培养7 d后,培养液中水溶性磷从6.54 μg/mL增加至655.23 μg/mL,pH从7.00降至3.99。高效液相色谱测定发现,K3菌液中的主要代谢产物为苹果酸、乳酸和草酸,浓度分别为47.39 mmol/L、25.67 mmol/L和1.89 mmol/L。人工模拟K3菌株产生的有机酸及调节培养基不同pH值对磷酸三钙溶解度影响的试验表明,有机酸的螯合作用是解磷细菌K3菌株解磷的主要机理,而调节培养基pH对解磷的作用有限。液体摇瓶和土培试验结果显示,土壤缓冲容量对K3解磷菌的解磷效应有显著的抑制作用。     

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria and fungi in desert soils: species,limitations and mechanisms

Desert soils are infertile, and the ability to improve them by P-fertilization is limited by the solubility of phosphate. We aimed to understand the function of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and the mechanisms behind phosphate solubilization in desert soils. Vegetated and barren desert soils, mine spoil and a fertile temperate grassland loam were sampled. Bacteria and fungi were isolated and identified, and their phosphate-solubilizing abilities were measured in vitro. The release of plant available PO₄, SO₄, NO₃ and NH₄ from desert soils did not compare with that of a grassland soil. Desert soils had substantially lower solubilization than grassland, 162 and 99–121 µg PO₄-P g^?1 dry soil, respectively. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and fungi were inhabiting the soils. Si addition increased phosphate solubilization of fungi by 50%. The isolated microbes were shown, using ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, to rapidly take-up both intracellular and extracellular phosphate during the phosphate solubilizing process. Desert soil had potentially active microbial populations that are capable to solubilize inorganic phosphorus; S and Si as the limiting factors. Acidification as the main mechanism to solubilize mineral phosphate was not as evident in our desert soils as in former studies dealing more fertile soils.     

Isolation and characterization of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from walnut and their effect on growth and phosphorus mobilization

The objectives of this work were to isolate and characterize walnut phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and to evaluate the effect of inoculation with the selected PSB stains to walnut seedlings fertilized with or without insoluble phosphate. Thirty-four PSB strains were isolated and identified under the genera Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Cupriavidus, Agrobacterium, Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Pantoea, and Rhodococcus through a comparison of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequences. All isolated PSB strains could solubilize tricalcium phosphate (TCP) in solid and liquid media. Phosphate-solubilizing activity of these strains was associated with a drop in the pH of medium. A significantly negative linear correlation was found between culture pH and phosphorus (P) solubilized from inorganic phosphate. Three isolates Pseudomonas chlororaphis (W24), Bacillus cereus (W9), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (W12) were selected for shade house assays because of their higher phosphate-solubilizing abilities. Under shade house conditions, application of W24 or W12 remarkably improved plant height, shoot and root dry weight, and P and nitrogen (N) uptake of walnut seedlings. These increases were higher on combined inoculation of PSB with TCP addition. The most pronounced beneficial effect on growth of walnut plants was observed in the co-inoculation of the three PSB strains with TCP addition. In comparison, the isolate of W9 failed to increase available soil P, nutrient levels in plants, or to promote plant growth, suggesting that more insoluble phosphate compounds than tricalcium phosphate should be used as substrates to assess the phosphate-solubilizing ability of PSB under greenhouse conditions. The present results indicated that strains P. chlororaphis or P. fluorescens could be considered for the formulation of new inoculants of walnut, even of more woody plants.     

Trapping of phosphate solubilizing bacteria on hyphae of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM 197198

A simple method is described for trapping phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) strongly attached to the hyphae of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus irregularis (Ri). Bacteria were isolated from the hyphosphere of mycorrhizal leek plants growing on Turface previously inoculated with soil suspensions, obtained from the mycorrhizosphere of mycorrhizal plants growing in agricultural settings or maple forests in Quebec, Canada. Among the best PSB strongly attached to the hyphae of Ri, 26 isolates belonged to Burkholderia spp. and one was identified as Rhizobium miluonense. Four hyphobacteria exhibiting high potential of inorganic and organic P mobilization were further compared with four equivalent mycorrhizobacteria directly isolated from mycorrhizospheric soils sampled. In general, hyphobacteria were superior in mobilizing P from hydroxyapatite and from a low reactivity igneous phosphate rock from Quebec. Release of gluconic acid or the product of its oxidation 2-ketogluconic acid, are the main mechanisms involved in P solubilization. In a two compartments Petri plate system, Ri extraradical hyphal exudates, supported PSB growth and activity. In the absence of PSB Ri showed a negligible P solubilization activity. In the presence of PSB a substantial increase in P mobilization was observed, and the superiority of hyphobacterial activity was also observed under this system. Our results suggest that in developing a bioinoculant based on selected PSB, their interaction with AMF hyphae should not be overlooked.     

黑土区高效溶磷真菌筛选及其溶解磷矿粉效果的研究

黑土区高效溶P真菌筛选及其溶解磷矿粉效果的试验结果表明 ,溶P真菌溶P效果高于溶P细菌 ,且其溶P性状稳定。曲霉菌“P39”、“P37”和青霉菌“P6 6”、“P1”溶P效果高于其他供试菌 ,菌株之间溶P活性与培养液pH值和有机酸含量间不存在必然相关性 ,推测不同菌株间溶P活性差异与菌株产生的有机酸种类和数量有关     

溶磷真菌液体培养条件下对磷矿粉的溶解效果

Rock phosphate （RP） is a low efficiency P fertilizer that is directly applied to the soil and can be solubilized by phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms （PSMs） in fermentation or soil conditions. This study investigated dynamic solubilization of 2 concentrations of rock phosphate in a liquid culture with different dosages of glucose by two fungal isolates,Aspergillus niger P39 and Penicillium oxalicum P66, from soybean and wheat rhizosphere soil. Although during the 20 day culture period A. niger P39 had a stronger ability to acidify the culture media than P. ozalicum P66, soluble P concentrations at glucose dosages of 30 and 50 g L^-1 with RP of 15 g L^-1 in the culture solution were much higher by P. oxalicum P66. The greater effectiveness of P. oxalicum P66 compared to A. niger P39 in the solubilization of RP was strongly associated with the production of organic acids. This study suggested that for RP solubilization the type rather than the concentration of PSM-produced organic acids was more important.     

Tricalcium phosphate is inappropriate as a universal selection factor for isolating and testing phosphate-solubilizing bacteria that enhance plant growth: a proposal for an alternative procedure

Literature analysis and chemical considerations of biological phosphate solubilization have shown that the commonly used selection factor for this trait, tricalcium phosphate (TCP), is relatively weak and unreliable as a universal selection factor for isolating and testing phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) for enhancing plant growth. Most publications describing isolation of PSB employed TCP. The use of TCP usually yields many (up to several thousands per study) isolates “supposedly” PSB. When these isolates are further tested for direct contribution of phosphorus to the plants, only a very few are true PSB. Other compounds are also tested, but on a very small scale. These phosphates (P), mainly Fe-P, Al-P, and several Ca-P, are even less soluble than TCP in water. Because soils greatly vary by pH and several chemical considerations, it appears that there is no metal-P compound that can serve as the universal selection factor for PSB. A practical approach is to use a combination of two or three metal-P compounds together or in tandem, according to the end use of these bacteria—Ca-P compounds (including rock phosphates) for alkaline soils, Fe-P and Al-P compounds for acidic soils, and phytates for soils rich in organic P. Isolates with abundant production of acids will be isolated. This approach will reduce the number of potential PSB from numerous isolates to just a few. Once a potential isolate is identified, it must be further tested for direct contribution to P plant nutrition and not necessarily to general growth promotion, as commonly done because promotion of growth, even by PSB, can be the outcome of other mechanisms. Isolates that do not comply with this general sequence of testing should not be declared as PSB.     

滇池富磷区土壤中溶磷真菌的筛选及其对油菜的促生作用

从滇池富磷区的89份土样中筛选出48株溶磷真菌,采用钼蓝法测定这些真菌溶解Ca3(PO4)3的能力。结果表明培养液中可溶性磷含量在14.45～64.87?mg/L,其中菌株SPF46、SPF47和Mo-Po的溶磷能力最强,其培养液中可溶性磷含量分别达到55.44、59.78和64.87?mg/L。结合形态特征及ITS rDNA 系统亲缘关系分析,将PSF46鉴定为黄暗青霉（Penicillium citreonigrum）,PSF47菌株鉴定为黑曲霉（Aspergillus niger）,Mo-Po菌株鉴定为草酸青霉（Penicillium oxalicum）。在Ca3(PO4)3、FePO4.4H2O和AlPO4 3种磷源中,这3种溶磷真菌对Ca3(PO4)2的溶磷效果最好。通过盆栽试验表明这3种溶磷真菌对油菜具有较好的促生效果,单一菌株处理,根系增长率在10.16%～294.7%,株高增长率在32.19%～134.5%;叶片直径增长率在35.53%～170.5%;鲜质量和干质量增长率分别在30.71%～189.5%,56%～224%。3种溶磷真菌混合处理,根系增长129.4%,株高增加60.41%,叶片直径增加170.5%;鲜质量和干质量分别增加246.1%、272.2%。     

Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in Colombia

This study determined the cell density in the field and the biological activity of culturable phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) present in the Elaeis guineensis Jacq. rhizosphere at two locations in a commercial plantation. Promising isolates found in two soils under different agronomic management conditions were selected. We first calculated the cell density of cultivable PSMs grown in SRS medium (Sundara-Rao and Sinha, 1963) supplemented with the insoluble phosphate sources Ca₃(PO₄)₂, AlPO₄, and FePO₄. Twenty-two bacteria, ten filamentous fungi, and eight yeast isolates were found. The 16 isolates with the clearest P solubilization halo in Petri dishes were selected to estimate their P solubilization potential in SRS medium with Ca₃(PO₄)₂. No solubilization activity was registered using AlPO₄ or FePO₄ as the P sources. Ten of the isolates presented solubilization efficiencies between 20 and 82%. Some of these isolates showed high percentages of identity with the 16S and ITS rDNA sequences of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Klebsiella, Burkholderia, and Staphylococcus according to the NCBI and EzTaxon-e databases. The solubilization activity of the isolates was associated with a decrease in the pH and the release of organic acids, such as gluconic, citric, succinic, and acetic acids. Gluconic acid was mainly released by the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, and these isolates also showed the highest solubilization activities (82 and 80%, respectively). Therefore, these isolates were selected as the most promising isolates present in the oil palm rhizosphere for phosphate solubilization.     

Effect of P‐solubilizing Azotobacter chroococcum on N,P, K uptake in P‐responsive wheat genotypes grown under greenhouse conditions

Natural and mutant strains of A. chroococcum were isolated from Indian soils. Their ability to dissolve phosphate and their phytohormone production were tested under in vitro conditions. In addition the effect of bacterial inoculation of Azotobacter on N, P, K uptake by three P responsive wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) under greenhouse conditions at five nutrient levels (Control, 90 kg N ha^—1, 90 kg N + 26 kg P ha^—1, 120 kg N ha^—1 and 120 kg N + 26 kg P ha^—1) was studied. In vitro phosphate solubilization and growth hormone production by mutant strains was more than by the soil isolates. Inoculation of wheat varieties with the soil isolates and mutant strains of A. chroococcum showed greater NPK uptakes as compared with parent soil isolates. Mutant strains M15 and M37 were proved to be the most effective for all three wheat varieties with regard to NPK uptake as well as root biomass production under greenhouse conditions.