Decomposition of silicate minerals by Bacillus mucilaginosus in liquid culture

Abstract

The extraction of K(+) and SiO(2 )from silicate minerals by Bacillus mucilaginosus in liquid culture was studied in incubation experiments. B. mucilaginosus was found to dissolve soil minerals and mica and simultaneously release K(+) and SiO(2) from the crystal lattices. In contrast, the bacterium did not dissolve feldspar. B. mucilaginosus also produced organic acids and polysaccharides during growth. The polysaccharides strongly adsorbed the organic acids and attached to the surface of the mineral, resulting in an area of high concentration of organic acids near the mineral. The polysaccharides also adsorbed SiO(2) and this affected the equilibrium between the mineral and fluid phases and led to the reaction toward SiO(2 )and K(+) solubilization. These two processes led to the decomposition of silicate minerals by the bacterium.

Potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB):: Mechanisms, promotion of plant growth, and future prospects ­ A review

“…It has been reported that the production of various extracellular polymers (primarily proteins and polysaccharides) can also be led to release of K from Kbearing minerals for plant uptake (Liu et al, 2006;Shelobolina et al, 2012;Sheng and He, 2006).…”

Review on iron availability in soil: interaction of Fe minerals, plants, and microbes

“…In this context, the interaction between bacteria and Fe minerals appears to be sustained by plant action, specifically root exudation of complex organic compounds used by bacteria as a source for their sustenance. In fact, the weathering of these minerals can be strongly accelerated by the activities of living organisms, as shown for microorganisms and plants (Welch et al 1999;Baker and Banfield 2003;Hansel et al 2004;Liu et al 2006). Organic matter decomposition is one of the most important processes linked with the Fe cycle in soil environment.…”

Potassium mobilizing bacteria: enhance potassium intake in paddy to regulates membrane permeability and accumulate carbohydrates under salinity stress

“…In the present study, the extent of potassium solubilization by P. pseudoalcaligenes in the liquid media was more and better compared to B. pumilus. This results suggest that effective potassium-solubilizing and plantgrowth promoting bacterial for plant systems must be tested further in controlled experimental designs with specific consideration of soil type, plant types grown and the environmental factors (Liu et al, 2006) for effective selection of isolates. Thus, potassium solubilizing bacteria isolated in present study could be tested for use in the amelioration of potassiumdeficient soils and may lead to an alternative source for improvement of potassium nutrition in sustainable agriculture under normal and saline stress.…”