Bibliometric analysis of soil phosphate solubilizing microorganisms research using VOSviewer

Phosphorus-solubilizing microbes play key roles in improving phosphorus availability and in alleviating phosphorus nutrient limitation in soils. However, we did not have a comprehensive understanding of the overall research progress and development trend of phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms. In this study, we obtain documents from the Web of Science (WOS) core collection between 2002 and 2022, and a comprehensive review of the progress of global research on soil phosphate solubilizing microorganisms was conducted by using the VOSviewer bibliometric analysis tool. The results showed an increasing trend in the number of published articles from 2002 to 2022. India, accounting for 28% of the total number of published articles, became the most productive country. However, Canada was the country with the highest average citation frequency of articles. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was the greatest contributor with the most publications. Among the published journals, Frontiers in Microbiology, Applied Soil Ecology and Plant and Soil were the top three core journals in this field. Based on the keyword analysis, the assessment of the mechanisms between phosphorus solubilizing microbes and the soil carbon cycles with the different management practices became the new research trend among the scientific communities. These findings would provide an important reference value for future in-depth research on soil phosphate solubilizing microorganisms.

Amelioration of Salt Stress on Wheat Plants Growth in Coastal Saline Soil by a Phosphate Solubilizing Bacterium Enterobacteria sp. EnHy-401

A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of a phosphate solubilizing bacterium（PSB）,Enterobacteria sp.EnHy-401,on the availability of insoluble accumulative phosphorus（P）and growth of wheat（Triticum Ningmai No.13）plants in sterile saline soil.Our results showed that the strain EnHy-401 had the ability to activate the insoluble accumulated phosphorus in saline soil and enhanced nutrient uptake efficiency by wheat plants,then conferred resistance in wheat plants to salt stress and resulted in a significant growth increase.In saline soil inoculated with Enterobacteria sp.EnHy-401,available phosphorus and exchangeable calcium was increased from 6.4 mg/kg and 1 162 mg/kg to 10.3 mg/kg and 1 214 mg/kg,respectively.Wheat seedling grown in soil inoculated with the EnHy-401 strain increased shoot weight by 28.1% and root weight by 14.6% when compared to the control.P,Ca,K and Mg contents in shoots increased 34.4%,36.3%,31.5%,and 6.3% compared to the control,respectively.the fact that the increases in available P,biomass P,and Ca2＋ concentration in saline soil treated with PSB Enterobacter sp.EnHy-401 inocula,and high relativity between the P,Ca,K,and Mg content in wheat tissue and dry matter indicated that PSB Enterobacter sp.EnHy-401 suppressed the adverse effect of salinity stress in plants through nutrient（P and Ca）supply and nutrient（K and Mg）uptake enhancement.The phosphate solubilizing activity of Enterobacteria sp.EnHy-401 and the amelioration of salt stress on wheat plants by the strain varied with the salinity levels and content of organic matter in the saline soil.

Phosphate-solubilizing microbes in rhizosphere soils of 19 weeds in southeastern China

Low phosphorus (P) availability is one of the most important factors limiting plant growth in red soils across southeastern China. Many non\|symbiotic microorganisms in rhizosphere can enhance P solubility, but little is known about the magnitude of their phosphorus\|solubilizing ability (PSA) and the difference in phosphorus\|solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) among plant species. The number of phosphorus\|solubilizing microorganisms and their PSA in rhizosphere soils of 19 weed species in a citrus orchard on red soil at Changshan, Zhejiang, China, were investigated. Inorganic P (powdered phosphate rock, PR) and organic P (lecithin, OP) were respectively used as the sole P\|source to examine the PSA of isolated microbes. The PS actinomycetes community varied greatly among the different weed rhizospheres while the PS fungus community showed to be most stable to the weed rhizosphere. The highest number of PR\|PS and OP\|PS bacteria was found in rhizosphere soil of \%Mollugo pentaphyll\%, and the highest number of PR\|PS and OP\|PS actinomycetes was found in rhizosphere soil of \%Polygonum lapathifolium\%. The highest number of PR\|PS fungi was found in \%Erigeron annuus\% and \%Mollugo pentaphyll\% rhizosphere soil, and the highest number of OP\|PS fungi was found in rhizosphere soil of \%Mazus stachydifolius\%. \%Mazus stachydifolius\% showed the strongest PR\|PS ability (6340.75μg) while \%Eragrostis pilosa\% showed the strongest OP\|PS ability (1301.84μg). The PR\|PS ability and OP\|PS ability of \%Mollugo pentaphyll\% was 4432.87μg and 1122.05μg respectively. A significant correlation between the number of PR\|PSM and OP\|PSM was found. Significant correlation was only found between the PR\|PS fungi number and its PSA( r =0.75, P <0.05) and between the number of OP\|PS fungi and its PSA( r =0.87, P <0.01}). It indicated that plant species had significant influence on components of the non\|symbiotic PSM community and their activity in its rhizosphere soil. Fungi play a leading role in phosphorus solubilization in weed rhizopshere. It suggested that weed conservation could benefit soil microbe development in agroecosystems, especially in the initial stage of agroecosystem development because there is less organic carbon in bare soil. The results suggested that weed conservation could increase PSA of PSM.

Phosphorus Solubilizing Capability,IAA Secretion and Characteristics of Phosphorus-solubilizing Bacteria in Rhizosphere of Alfalfa in Guizhou Province

[Objective] The study aimed to isolate and screen efficient phosphorus-sol- ubilizing strains from the root soil of alfalfa in Guizhou, and investigate its growth promoting mechanism. [Method] Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria were isolated from rhizosphere of alfalfa with inorganic and organic phosphorous medium and the strains with higher capacity of dissolving phosphorus were screened through dissolv- ing phosphate zone and further researched. Meanwhile the phosphorus solubilizing capability of strains cultured in liquid medium was investigated by molybdenum blue colorimetric method. [Result] The capacity of dissolving calcium phosphate of 11 se- lected strains differed significantly and tended to be volatile from 150.40 to 268.20 μg/ml; phosphate solubilization capacity, IAA secretion and the pH of culture media did not show any significant correlation; all strains could produce IAA, and the se- cretion was from 12.09 to 22.16 μg/ml; the selected strains all could produce alka- line matter, and most of colonies were pale or milky white, irregular, opaque, jagged, flat and non-pigmented; utilization of carbon sources by different strains varied signifi- cantly. [Conclusion] The study laid the foundation for relieving phosphorus in unpro- ductive land, saving phosphate resources, reducing environmental pollution and pro- viding fertilizer in alfalfa production.

Response of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria to remediation abandoned solid waste of coal mine

Coal is the vital resource of energy in China,but abandoned coal ash and gangue lead to the degradation of vegetation cover and reduce soil quality.Both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play a key role in biogeochemical cycle such as soil organic matter decomposition,nutrition release,and energy flow.To improve and reclamation the soil quality and ecological efficiency of the coal mining waste,we investigated the effects of an AMF strain (Glomus mosseae) and a PSB strain (Pantoesstewarti) on phytate mineralization and subsequent transfer to the host plant (Medicago sativa L.) using a two-compartment microcosm with a central 30 mm nylon mesh barrier.The results showed that significantly higher available P (AP),above ground biomass (AGB) and underground biomass (UGB) were in combined inoculation of AMF-PSB than other treatments in root and hyphae compartment.The microbial inoculum of the AMF or PSB had a significant influence on soil acid phosphatase activities (ACP).AMF-PSB enhanced phytate mineralization,improved plant biomass.AP and ACP positively influenced the AGB and UGB.AMF-PSB could be used as bioinoculant to enhance sustainable production of the plant in abandoned solid waste of coal mine.

Isolation, Identification and Phosphate Solubilizing Capacity of Organophosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria in Rhizosphere Soil of Camellia oleifera

In order to obtain high-efficiency organophosphorus solubilizing bacteria, 21 strains of organophosphate solubilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Camellia oleifera plants, and the transparent circle method was used for rescreening. Only 4 strains of bacteria could form transparent circle on organophosphorus medium. The D/d value of 4 strains of bacteria was between 1.62 and 2.71, among which the D/d value of strain Y6 was the highest(2.71). The available phosphorus content of the fermentation supernatant was 8.50~14.79 mg/L, which was 7.88~14.17 mg/L higher than that of CK. The strain Y6 had the highest soluble phosphorus content of 14.79 mg/L in the fermentation supernatant, which was 14.17 mg/L higher than that of CK. According to the colony morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analysis of strain Y6, it is preliminarily determined that strain Y6 is Pseudomonas. Strain Y6 is beneficial to improve the supply of phosphorus in rhizosphere soil of Camellia oleifera and promote the growth of Camellia oleifera. It has great potential in the development of bio-organic fertilizer.

Assessment of biotechnological potential of phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from soils of Southern Kazakhstan

Phosphorus (P) is a vital plant nutrient, available to plant roots only in soluble forms that are in short supply in the soil. Adding phosphate- based fertilizers to increase agricultural yields is a widely used practice;however, the bio- availability of P remains low due to chemical transformations of P into insoluble forms. Thus, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play an important role in reducing P deficiency in soil. The goal of this study was to assess biotechnological potential of phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains. In this study, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) were isolated from different soil samples of Southern regions of Kazakhstan. The biological activity of PSM was studied based on their effect on the growth of wheat seeds. The different taxonomic genera of these PSM were identified: Arthrobacter spp., Aureobacterium spp., Azotobacter spp., Bacterium spp., Baccillus spp. Finally, phosphate- solubilizing activity of isolated strains of PSM was assessed.

A Feasible Way of Degrading Malathion Pesticide under Laboratory Condition Using Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria

An experiment was carried out for identification and determination of malathion degrading phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from the agricultural fields. In this study, malathion degrading phosphate solubilizing bacteria were identified using NBRIP (National Botanical Research Institute’s phosphate growth medium) media. A number of bacterial colonies were screened from agricultural fields. From primarily screened colonies 4 isolates were identified as phosphate solubilizing bacteria through qualitative and quantitative analysis. The isolated 4 bacterial colonies were inoculated in NBRIP broth media enriched with malathion pesticides to observe degradation of malathion pesticide under incubation study at three different temperatures (25°C, 30°C and 37°C). However, all the four isolates showed capability in degrading malathion pesticide. The study clearly revealed that phosphate solubilizing bacteria can be used in bioremediation of environmental pollution caused by malathion pesticide.

The Ability of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Isolated from Coffee Plant Rhizosphere and Their Effects on Robusta Coffee Seedlings

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from rhizosphere of coffee plants may play an important role in improving phosphate availability for the plants. However, one of the factors influencing the degree of phosphate solubilization by these bacteria is the ability of the microorganisms to utilize phosphate. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from coffee plant rhizosphere and their effects on robusta coffee seedling growth. This research was carried out by taking soil samples from Andungsari （Bondowoso District） and Kaliwining （Jember District） coffee plantations, both located in East Java. Liquid medium of Pikovskaya was used for isolation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from the soil samples. Results of this study showed that 12 phosphate solubilizing bacteria were obtained from this isolation, eight isolates from Andungsari and four isolates from Kaliwining. Selection of those bacteria isolates was based on the qualitative ability in phosphate solubilizing by measuring the clear zone surrounding the colonies and quantitatively by measuring the solubilized phosphate using spectrophotometer. The results showed that four isolates, in the order of PFpKW1, PFpC61, PFsC62a, and PFsB 11, had the highest qualitative ability in solubilizing phosphate, while for the highest quantitative ability the order was PFpKW 1, PFpC61, PFsC62a, and PFsB 11. In a green house study, inoculation of these selected isolates onto Robusta coffee seedlings positively enhanced the coffee seedling growth. Phenotypic test indicated that the four isolates are similar to the genus of Pseudomonas.

Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria from Seagrass Rhizosphere Soil

Phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains(6 Nos.) were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of two seagrasses(Halophila ovalis(R.Br.) Hook and Halodule pinifolia(Miki) Hartog) in the Vellar estuary.Experimental studies found that the strain PSSG6 was effective in phosphate solubilization with Phosphate Solubilization efficiency index E = 375 ± 8.54,followed by the strain PSSG5 with Phosphate Solubilization efficiency index E = 275 ± 27.3.Of the 6 strains isolated,the strains PSSG4 and PSSG5 be-longed to the genus Bacillus,and PSSG1,PSSG2 and PSSG3 were identified as Citrobacter sp.,Shigella sp.,and Klebsiella sp.,respectively,by conventional method,and PSSG6 was identified as Bacillus circulans using conventional and molecular methods.

Growth Characteristics of Mixed Bacteria and Its Solubilizing Effect on Low-grade Phosphate Rock

In this paper, the growth characteristics of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans （At.f） and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans （At. f） in mixed culture has been studied, explored mixed bacteria phosphate solubilization effect, from a kind of low-grade phosphate rock. The results show that mixed bacteria has strong ability to produce acid, and have stronger oxidation activity to energy source -Fe^2＋. Mixed bacteria can significantly increase the rate of phosphate solubilization from phosphate rock in low concentration pulp. It goes against mixed bacteria reproduction when pulp concentration increased, makes phosphate solubilization rate decreased.

Selection of Cocoa Tree (<i>Theobroma cacao</i>Linn) Endophytic Bacteria Solubilizing Tri-Calcium Phosphate, Isolated from Seedlings Grown on Soils of Six Producing Regions of C&ocirc;te d’Ivoire

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for the growth and development of cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao Linn). Most of the soils used for cocoa farming in C?te d’Ivoire are low in phosphorus. But cocoa farmers generally have a widespread reluctance to invest in chemicals fertilizers due to high costs and environmental associated risk. Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) are kwon to play an important role in supply of phosphorous to plants in a sustainable manner in P deficient soils. The aim of this research was to screen the endophytic bacteria of cocoa nurseries able to solubilize tri-calcium phosphate. Seedlings of two varieties of cocoa (P7 and NA32) and seedlings of an all-comer, were grown on eighteen (18) samples soils collected in six producing regions of C?te d’Ivoire. A total of 218 endophytic bacteria were isolated and tested on the Pikovskaya’s agar medium, containing Ca3 (PO4) 2. The colonies with clear zone around the microbial growth were suspected as phosphate solubilizing bacteria. Out of 218 bacteria, 90 (41.28%) showed a clear zone around colonies after 7 days of incubation. The Phosphate Solubilization Index (PSI) ranged from 20% to 200%. Bacterial isolated from the soils of Duékoué locality showed the highest mean index of 137.67%. Five PSB (CEBSP5, CEBSP6, CEBSP7, CEBSP8, and CEBSP9) from Duékoué soils and two PSB (CEBSP12 and CEBSP13) from Soubré soils have a PSI ranged from 150% to 200%. Further study in greenhouse and in field condition will confirm the use of these PSB as biofertilizer to increase the available P content in soils, reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable agriculture.

Analysis of NPK in Camellia sinensis, Gliricidia sepium, and Musa acuminata Biomasses for Preparation of an Organic Fertilizers Formula for Young Tea Plants (Musa acuminata) and Studying of Their Nutrient Release Capacity in the Biodegradation Process

This study investigates the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) contents in raw biomasses of Camellia sinensis, Gliricidia sepium, and Musa acuminata. Therein, the highest N and P content was seen in Camellia sinensis 116.80 ± 0.08 mg and 66.00 ± 0.14 mg respectively. The highest K content (106.80 ± 0.04 mg) was observed in Musa acuminata. Next, all three types of plant materials were allowed to decompose in water for 3 weeks, and a sample from each was analyzed for NPK after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week during decomposition. A significant increase in the release of N, P, and K by the Camellia sinensis to water (P Musa acuminate were not significantly changed (P > 0.05) over time. The ratio for N:P:K was calculated for raw biomass samples and decomposed samples to find the best fitting N:P:K ratio to apply to young tea plants as organic fertilizers. In addition to that, the microbial insight of these organic compounds was analyzed by observing how microbial population increased with decomposition by the enumeration of the total microbial count. A considerable increment in total microbial count was observed up to 3.28 × 106, 1.21 × 1010, 2.18 × 108, and 6.49 × 107 CFU/ml for Camellia sinensis, Gliricidia sepium, Musa accuminata (leaves), and Musa accuminata (trunk) respectively. The presence of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and nitrogen solubilizing bacteria (NSB) throughout the decomposition period was confirmed by their growth on NBRIP and a modified nutrient medium that was specifically designed for the identification of ammonifiers respectively. Prepared fertilizer samples were applied to young tea plants that were grown in the Mawanella area in Sri Lanka (7°15'12.42"N 80°26'47.62"E) and according to the results, it is clear that fertilizer mixture 1 (N:P:K, 10:5:10, tea dust + Gliricidia + banana trunk) and fertilizer mixture 2 (N:P:K, 10:5:10, tea dust + Gliricidia + banana leaves) has the potential to increase the growth of young tea plants.

Phosphate Solubilizing Ability and Phylogenetic Diversity of Bacteria from P-Rich Soils Around Dianchi Lake Drainage Area of China

The phylogenetic diversity of phosphate solubilizing bacteria （PSB） distributed in P-rich soils in the Dianchi Lake drainage area of China was characterized, and the tricalcium phosphate （TCP） solubilizing activities of isolated PSB were determined. Among 1 328 bacteria isolated from 100 P-rich soil samples, 377 isolates （28.39% of the total） that exhibited TCP solubilization activity were taken as PSB. These PSB showed different abilities to solubilize TCP, with the concentrations of solubilized P in bacterial cultures varying from 33.48 to 69.63 mg L^（-1）. A total of 123 PSB isolates, with relatively high TCP solubilization activity （〉 54.00 mg L^（-1））, were submitted for restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） analysis, which revealed 32 unique RFLP patterns. Based on these patterns, 62 representative isolates, one to three from each RFLP pattern, were selected for 16S rRNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis placed the 123 PSB into three bacterial phyla, namely Proteobacteria, Aetinobacteria and Firmicutes. Members of Proteobacteria were the dominant PSB, where 107 isolates represented by 26 RFLP patterns were associated with the genera of Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pantoea, Serratia, Klebsiella, Leclercia, Raoultella and Cedeeea. Firmicutes were the subdominant group, in which 13 isolates were affiliated with the genera of Bacillus and Brevibacterium. The remaining 3 isolates were identified as three species of the genus Arthrobacter. This research extends the knowledge on PSB in P-rich soils and broadens the spectrum of PSB for the development of environmentally friendly biophosphate fertilizers.

Microcalorimetric Investigation of Toxic Effects of Three Injectable Solubilizing Excipients on Tetrahymena thermophila BF5 Growth

Using microcalorimetry, thermal metabolic curves of Tetrahymena thermophila BF5 （T. thermophila BFs） growth at 28℃ affected by three injectable solubilizing excipients （ISE） including tween 80, hydroxypro- pyl-β-cyclodextrin （HP-β-CD） and poloxamer 188 were measured. Meanwhile, the toxicities of three ISE were evaluated by dynamic parameters of thermal metabolic curves. In addition, the irritative effects of the ISE on myoblast L6cells were investigated to show their cytotoxicities by biochemical method. The results indicated that the effects of the ISE on T. thermophila BF5 varied for different ISE. 5% inhibition concentration values （IC5） of the ISE were 1.33, 1.83 and 1.64 mg/mL for tween 80, HP-β-CD and poloxamer 188, respectively. By the principal component analysis （PCA）, the total quantity of heat （Q）, growth rate constant （k） and second maximum power （P2） were selected as the main characteristic parameters to present their toxicities, there were good linear relationships between Q, k, P2 and concentrations c, suggesting that the toxicities of the ISE on T. thermophila BF5 were closely linked to their concentrations. The results of creatine kinase （CK） bioassay of myoblast L6 cells indicated that the sequence of irritative effects of the ISE was HP-β-CD〈poloxamer 188〈tween 80, which added to the results ob- tained from microcalorimetry.

Modeling solubility of oxaprozin and irbesartan in biorelevant complex solutions based on a combination of pH-dependent and micellar solubilization models

Biological solubility is one of the important basic parameters in the development process of poorly soluble drugs,but the current measurement methods are mainly based on a large number of experiments,which are time-consuming and cost-intensive.There is still a lack of effective theoretical models to accurately describe and predict the biological solubility of drugs to reduce costs.Therefore,in this study,osaprazole and irbesartan were selected as model drugs,and their solubility in solutions containing surfactants and biorelevant media was measured experimentally.By calculating the parameters of each component using the perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory(PC-SAFT)model,combined with pH-dependent and micellar solubilization models,the thermodynamic phase behavior of the two drugs was successfully modeled,and the predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental values.These results demonstrate that the model combination used provides important basic parameters and theoretical guidance for the development and screening of poorly soluble drugs and related formulations.

Biodiversity,current developments and potential biotechnological applications of phosphorus-solubilizing and-mobilizing microbes:A review

As one of the most important and essential macronutrients next to nitrogen,phosphorus(P)is important for plant development,but it is the least mobile nutrient element in plant and soil.Globally,P is mined from geological sediments and added to agricultural soils so as to meet the critical requirements of crop plants for agronomic productivity.Phosphorus exists in soil in both organic and inorganic forms.The various inorganic forms of the element in soil are salts with calcium,iron,and aluminum,whereas the organic forms come from decaying vegetation and microbial residue.There is a huge diversity of plant microbiomes(epiphytic,endophytic,and rhizospheric)and soil microbiomes that have the capability to solubilize the insoluble P and make it available to plant.The main mechanism for the solubilization of inorganic P is by the production of organic acids,which lowers soil pH,or by the production of acid and alkaline phosphatases,which causes the mineralization of organic P.The P-solubilizing and-mobilizing microorganisms belong to all three domains,comprising archaea,bacteria,and eukarya.The strains belonging to the genera Arthrobacter,Bacillus,Burkholderia,Natrinema,Pseudomonas,Rhizobium,and Serratia have been reported as efficient and potential P solubilizers.The use of P solubilizers,alone or in combination with other plant growth-promoting microbes as an eco-friendly microbial consortium,could increase the P uptake of crops,increasing their yields for agricultural and environmental sustainability.

A Modified Plate Assay for Rapid Screening of Potassium-Solubilizing Bacteria

The utility of microorganisms for solubilizing the unavailable forms of potassium(K) from soil has led to renewed interest in fabrication of rapid and sensitive plate assays for their isolation and screening. The present study developed a modified plate assay and compared it with previously reported methods for the isolation and screening of K-solubilizing bacteria. The newly developed plate assay is based on improved visualization of halo zone formation around the colonies on agar plates, through inclusion of an acid-base indicator dye, bromothymol blue(BTB), to modify the previously reported Aleksandrov medium. The halo zone exhibited a significant correlation(R = 0.939) with K released in liquid medium. The visualization of potential K solubilizers was improved using this method, which would help in detection of weak/non-acid producers based on secretion of organic acids in the medium. Organic acids in plate diffuse radially and form halo zones in response to reaction with the acid-base indicator dye BTB. Furthermore, K solubilization on plates with this method can be observed within 48–72 h, against the incubation time of 4–5 d needed in the earlier method. Therefore, the newly developed protocol for the plate assay was time saving, more sensitive, and beneficial in comparison to the previously reported Aleksandrov plate assay.

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 Mg2+. 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.

Improvement of phosphorus uptake,phosphorus use efficiency,and grain yield of upland rice(Oryza sativa L.)in response to phosphate-solubilizing bacteria blended with phosphorus fertilizer

Phosphorus(P)limitation in soil is a major concern for crop productivity.However,the use of chemical fertilizer is hazardous to the environment and costly.Therefore,the use of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria(PSB)is an eco-friendly approach for a sustainable agricultural system.In the present study,a field trial was conducted for two consecutive years to study the effects of three PSB strains isolated,Bacillus licheniformis,Pantoea dispersa,and Staphylococcus sp.,with different P fertilizer rates on P uptake,P use efficiency(PUE),and grain yield of rice.The activities of soil enzymes were also studied in relation to PSB treatments.Comparative analysis of the yield and biochemical parameters revealed that inoculation of PSB consortium could reduce almost 50%of the recommended P dose in rice cultivation.Three PSB strains in combination with 50%P dose was most effective and showed the highest increases in P uptake and PUE as compared to the uninoculated control.Moreover,the PSB consortium combined with 50%P dose contributed to 50.58%and35.64%yield increases compared to the uninoculated control for 2018 and 2019,respectively.Significant increases in the activities of soil dehydrogenase,alkaline phosphatase,and acid phosphatase were also recorded under PSB treatment.