Mobilisation of potassium and phosphorus from iron ore by ectomycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Mutualistic roles of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi have been linked to their ability to produce organic acids that aid in the dissolution of insoluble minerals in the rhizosphere. This ability of ECM fungi was utilised to investigate their potential participation in the mobilisation of nutrients such as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from a typical insoluble ore-iron ore. In vitro pure cultures of four different ECM fungi; Pisolithus tinctorius, Paxillus involutus, Phialocephala fortini, and Suillus tomentosus were screened for their ability to mobilise P and K from two types of non-exportable Sishen iron ore. When present in iron ore, these elements are deleterious and reduce the commercial values of the ore. Experiment was set up with different treatments that included two ore types (KGT and SK) and five particle sizes of each ore type. Results indicated the potential of the four fungi to mobilise P and K from the two iron ore types though at different levels. Ore type, particle size, organic acid production and attachment of the fungi to the iron ore were all found to play important roles in the mobilisation of nutrients from these ores.

Biofilm Formation of Zinc Solubilizing, Potassium Releasing Bacteria on the Surface of Fungi

“…The solubilization process of minerals may be due to the production of various organic acids such as acetic, formic, gluconic, oxalic and succinic acids Lal (2002). Adeleke et al, (2010) have reported the ability of ectomycorhizal fungi in mobilization of P and K sources from insoluble ore. Greater release of K from muscovite has been recorded in B. muciloginosus (Sugumaran and Janarthanam, 2007) (Table 4).…”

Culturable microorganisms associated with Sishen iron ore and their potential roles in biobeneficiation

“…and Fe 3? contained in Sishen iron ore (Yuan et al 2004;Delvasto et al 2009;Adeleke et al 2010). Scavenging is one of the methods through which microbes obtain nutrients from minerals, but this condition is mainly created by need.…”

Relationship between plant growth and organic acid exudates from ectomycorrhizal and non-ectomycorrhizalPinus patula

“…Examples include oxalic, citric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic and malonic acids (Wallander and Wickman 1999;Adeleke et al 2010Adeleke et al , 2012. The hyphae of ECM fungi can alter the soil chemistry through the production of OAs, a process that is essential for increased nutrient absorption by plants vis-a-vis plant health (Rasanayagam and Jeffries 1992;Jones et al 2003;Adeleke et al 2012).…”