PHOSPAHATE SOLUBILIZATION POTENTIAL OF SOIL FUNGI
Abstract
Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient required for plant growth and metabolic activities; however, a large proportion of soil phosphorus exists in insoluble forms that are unavailable to plants. This study evaluated the phosphate-solubilizing potential of soil fungi isolated from rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils. Soil samples were collected, and fungal isolates were obtained using standard microbiological techniques. The isolates were identified based on their morphological and microscopic characteristics and screened for phosphate solubilization using Pikovskaya’s agar medium. Quantitative estimation of phosphate solubilization was carried out in liquid culture using spectrophotometric analysis.
Results revealed that phosphate solubilization ability varied among fungal species. Aspergillus flavus showed the highest solubilization index, followed by Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium marneffei, while Histoplasma capsulatum exhibited no phosphate-solubilizing activity. The effectiveness of the solubilizing fungi was attributed to their ability to secrete organic acids capable of converting insoluble phosphates into plant-available forms. The study concludes that certain soil fungi, particularly Aspergillus and Penicillium species, have strong potential for use as biofertilizers to enhance phosphorus availability and promote sustainable agricultural practices
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