Selection of efficient phosphorus solubilizing bacteria strains and mycorrhizea for enhanced cereal growth, root microbe status and N and P uptake in alkaline calcareous soil. Issue 3 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hussain, Sadiq; Sharif, Muhammad; Ahmad, Wiqar
• Is Part Of: Soil science and plant nutrition. Volume 67:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 259
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi -- phosphorus solubilizing bacteria -- p solubility index -- AMF root colonization -- PSB population density; Soil science -- Periodicals; Plants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; 631.4
• DOI: 10.1080/00380768.2021.1904793
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-0768

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Calcareous, alkaline and kaolinite soils, despite external P fertilization, are low in plant extractable P because of their P fixing nature. Use of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are eco-friendly technologies for enhancing plant P nutrition and total crop production. However, use of potentially viable amongst numerous strains is of significant importance. In this study, we isolated and characterized AMF and PSB strains from berseem, wheat and pasture rhizosphere at ten agricultural soils and evaluated their P nutrition potential on maize crop grown in pots. Two PSB strains (URF-B-4 and NP-B-4) were identified for their highest population density (3.2 × 10 8 g −1 CFU) and P solubility index (3.02) whilst a total of four AMF strains ( Glomus Hoi, Glomus claroideum, Glomus mossai, and Glomus intrardices) were isolated from berseem rhizosphere. The isolated strains were used both in the presence and absence of vermicompost (VC) in order to evaluate their potential in low and high carbon soils. Results revealed that selected strains of AMF and PSB in vermicompost (VC) pots (AMF+PSB+VC) significantly increased the plant height and roots dry biomass (by 41 and 55%, respectively). Soil OM, AB-DTPA extractable P, soil total N, plant P concentrations and N and P uptake were also significantly (P < 0.05) higher with AMF+PSB+VC followed by PSB+VC over rest of the treatments. The AMF+PSB resulted in significantly higher plant N concentration while the AMF root colonization and spores density and PSB population density were maximum for AMF+PSB+VC followed by AMF+PSB. Results concluded that for improved plant growth, nutrients availability/uptake, microbial status, and fertility of the alkaline and calcareous soils, only the efficient AMF and PSB strains (URF-B-4 and NP-B-4) application along with vermicompost would pay back significantly in addition to routine inorganic P fertilizer application.