Isolation and identification of temperature tolerant phosphate solubilizing bacteria as a potential microbial fertilizer

Isolation and identification of temperature tolerant phosphate solubilizing bacteria (TTPSB) and their use as microbial fertilizers was the main goal of the study. In this study, TTPSB were isolated from soil samples treated for 16 h at 55 °C. Their phosphate solubilizing activity was either evaluated in solid media by forming a clear zone (halo) or in liquid media by quantification of the soluble phosphate in the growth medium. Five colonies (RPS4, RPS6, RPS7, RPS8 and RPS9) were identified to be able to form a halo and two of the isolates (RPS9 and RPS7) tolerated a temperature of 55 °C. With tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as the sole P-source, the phosphate solubilizing capacity of RPS9 and RPS7 was determined to be 563.8 and 324.1 mg P L⁻¹ in liquid Sperber medium, respectively. Both bacterial isolates were identified as Pantoea agglomerans by molecular and biochemical characterization. To be used as a microbial fertilizer a carrier system for the temperature tolerant bacteria consisting of rock phosphate, sulfur and bagasse was used. It could be established that the bacterial cell counts of the microbial fertilizers were acceptable for application after storage for 4 months at 28 °C. In a greenhouse experiment using pot cultures, inoculation of maize (S.C.704) with the microbial fertilizers in an autoclaved soil resulted in a significant effect on total fresh and dry weight of the plant root and shoot as well as on the P content of the root and shoot. The effects observed with RPS9 as a component of the microbial fertilizer on plant growth and P nutrition was comparable with the addition of 50% of recommended triple superphosphate (TSP) dose. Using temperature tolerant bacteria in microbial fertilizers will overcome limitations in production and storage of the microbial fertilizers and contribute to a environmentally-friendly agriculture. The temperature tolerant P. agglomerans strain RPS9 was shown to be effective as part of a microbial fertilizer in supporting the growth and P uptake in maize.