POTENTIAL OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING BACILLUS STRAINS FOR IMPROVING GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE IN MUNGBEAN AND MAIZE CROPS

Abstract

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) improve plant nutrition by solubilizing insoluble phosphorus compounds in alkaline calcareous soils thus improve plant growth of both leguminous and non-leguminous crops. In the present study, two promising PSB strains Bacillus aryabhattai S10 and Bacillus subtilis ZM63 were evaluated for their potential to improve plant growth and nutritional status of mungbean and maize crops. The experiment was conducted in pots under wire house conditions following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The results revealed that co-inoculation with Bacillus aryabhattai S10 and Bacillus subtilis ZM63 exhibited an increased nodulation in mungbean which was measured in terms of nodules number, and nodules fresh and dry weight as compared to sole inoculation. This co-inoculation of bacterial strains also increased plant growth and nutritional status of mungbean and maize crops. It increased nitrogen (N) concentration up to 142 and 18%, phosphorus (P) concentration up to 90 and 43%, and potassium (K) concentration up to 71 and 44%, in shoots of mungbean and maize crops, respectively. It is concluded that the tested PSB strains Bacillus aryabhattai S10 and Bacillus subtilis ZM63 have the potential to be used as promising bio-inoculants to maximize plant growth and nutritional status of the crop for sustainable production.