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The effects of phosphate solubilizing bacterium (<i>Bacillus</i> FS-3) application on phosphorus contents of tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i> L.) plant, growing performance and phosphorus forms in soil were evaluated under greenhouse condition. Five different phosphorus fertilizer treatments (normal superphosphate, triple superphosphate, di-ammonium phosphate, phosphoric acid, and rock phosphate) with and without bacterium (<i>Bacillus</i> FS-3) were applied in pots as 344 kg P/ha. Basal fertilizers were applied to all the pots as 180 kg N/ha (NH₄NO₃ 33% N), 100 kg K/ha (K₂SO₄ 50% K₂O). The results obtained showed that phosphorus availability from soil increased with phosphate solubilizing bacterium (PSB) application. The amount of plant available form of soil phosphorus fraction (resin-Pi + NaHCO₃-Pi + NaHCO₃-Po + NaOH-Pi + NaOH-Po) increased with PSB application. In all fertilizer types, bacteria application converted approximately 20% of less available phosphorus into labile forms. Statistically significant differences were obtained in shoot and root dry weight of tomato plants treated with PSB application. In all of the fertilizers, plant shoot and root weight and P uptake were greater with PSB applications than without PSB. The highest shoot-root dry weight and P uptake of plant were determined in triple superphosphate (TSP) with PSB application treatment. The data in the present study suggest that the application of PSB (FS-3) may increase the availability of soluble phosphate by dissolving the inorganic forms of phosphate and that bacterial strain tested in this study has a potential to be used as a bio-fertilizer in sustainable and organic agriculture.

Phosphorus (P)‐solubilizing bacteria and fungi can increase soil‐P availability, potentially enhancing crop yield when P is limiting. We studied the effectiveness of Bacillus FS‐3 and Aspergillus FS9 in enhancing strawberry (Fragaria × ananasa cv. Fern) yield and mineral content of leaves and fruits on a P‐deficient calcareous Aridisol in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The 120 d pot experiment was conducted in three replicates with three treatments (Bacillus FS‐3, Aspergillus FS9, control) and five increasing rates of P addition (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg P ha–1). Fruit yield and nutrient content of fruits and leaves and soil P pools were determined at the end of the experiment. Phosphorus‐fertilizer addition increased all soil P fractions. Strawberry yield increased with P addition (quadratic function) reaching a maximum of 94 g pot–1 at 200 kg P ha–1 in the absence of P‐solubilizing microorganisms. At this yield level, Bacillus FS‐3 and Aspergillus FS9 inoculation resulted in P‐fertilizer savings of 149 kg P ha–1 and 102 kg P ha–1, respectively. Both microorganisms increased yields beyond the maximum achievable yield with sole P‐fertilizer addition. Microorganism inoculation increased fruit and leaf nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, and Fe) with the largest increases upon addition of Bacillus FS‐3. We conclude that Bacillus FS‐3 and Aspergillus FS9 show great promise as yield‐enhancing soil amendments in P‐deficient calcareous soils of Turkey. However, moderate additions of P fertilizer (50–100 kg ha–1) are required for highest yield.

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is grown as a forage crop on many livestock farms. In calcareous soils in eastern Turkey, lucerne production requires boron (B) addition as the soils are naturally B deficient. Field experiments with four Bapplication rates (0, 1, 3, and 9 kg ha (1 B) were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to determine the optimum economic B rate (OEBR), critical soil test and tissue B values for dry matter (DM) production for lucerne grown on B-deficient calcareous aridisols in eastern Turkey. Boron application increased yield at each site in both years of production. The OEBR and critical soil and tissue B content were not impacted by location. Averaged over the two years and three locations, the OEBR was 6.8 kg B ha (1 with an average DM yield of 12.0 Mg ha (1 . The average soil B content at the OEBR was 0.89 mg kg (1 while leaf and shoot tissue B content amounted to 51.8 and 35.5 mg kg (1 , respectively. Boron application decreased tissue calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), and increased tissue nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). Tissue and soil B increased without impacting yield at B levels up to 9 kg ha (1 . We conclude that 7 kg ha (1 B is sufficient to elevate soil test B levels from 0.11 to 0.89 mg kg (1 and overcome B deficiency at each of the sites in the study. Similar studies with different soils and initial soil test B levels are needed to conclude if these critical soil and tissue values can be applied across the region.

Boron (B) deficiency is widespread in the Anatolia region of Turkey. This could impact production and quality of Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea L. gemmifera). A 2-year field experiment was conducted to study yield and quality response of four cultivars (Star, Brilliant, Oliver, and Maximus) to B addition (0, 1, 3, and 9 kg·ha−1 B). The optimum economic B rate (OEBR) ranged from 5.5 to 6.3 kg·ha−1 B resulting in soil B levels of 0.94 to 1.13 mg·kg−1. Independent of cultivar, B application decreased tissue nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium but increased tissue phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper content. We conclude a B addition of 6 kg·ha−1 is sufficient to elevate soil B levels to nondeficient levels. Similar studies with different soils and initial soil test B levels are needed to conclude if these critical soil test values and OEBR can be applied across the region.

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