Potential Bacillus Species Utilized for Phosphate Solubilization to Improve the Phosphorus Bioavailability in the Rhizosphere of Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) (Ladies’ Finger) and Capsicum Annuum (Green Chilli) (L.)

By : U. Muthuvel, Harinathan Balasundaram, Rahul M. Sonavale, K. Suresh

Page No: 116-136

Abstract
Modern sustainable agriculture increasingly utilizes biopesticides and biofertilizers, particularly to address phosphorus (P) deficiency. Traditional phosphate fertilizers are limited by their soil mobility, prompting interest in microorganisms that can convert insoluble P into bioavailable forms. This has led to the development of phosphate-solubilizing bioinoculants.
In this study, rhizosphere soil samples from maize (Zea mays L.) were collected, and approximately 30 colonies were isolated on nutrient agar, and then screened on Pikovskaya’s agar for phosphate solubilization. Five isolates showed solubilization capabilities, with one strain, identified as Bacillus sp., demonstrating the best performance. Optimization experiments revealed optimal growth conditions at pH 7, 40ºC, with dextrose as the carbon source and ammonium molybdate as the nitrogen source. A pot experiment was conducted with Ladies’ finger and Green Chilli plants to evaluate the isolates’ performance under actual circumstances. Treated plants consistently showed higher fresh and dry weights than the control group, along with significant increases in biochemical indicators like carotenoid and chlorophyll levels throughout the growth period.

Authors :
U. Muthuvel : Research Scholar, P.G. and Research Department of Botany, Saraswathi Narayanan College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Harinathan Balasundaram : Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Krishna Institute of Science and Technology, Karad, Maharashtra, India.
Rahul M. Sonavale : Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Krishna Institute of Science and Technology, Karad, Maharashtra, India.
K. Suresh : Associate Professor, Dean (Research), PG and Research Department of Botany, Saraswathi Narayanan College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2025.41.01.13