Phosphorus-Solubilizing Microorganisms: A Key to Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macronutrients for plant growth, being a highly required resource to improve the productive performance of several crops, especially in highly weathered soils. However, a large part of the nutrients applied in the form of fertilizers becomes “inert” in the medium term and cannot be assimilated by plants. Rationalizing the use of phosphorus is a matter of extreme importance for environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development. Therefore, alternatives to the management of this nutrient are needed, and the use of P-solubilizing microorganisms is an option to optimize its use by crops, allowing the exploration of less available fractions of the nutrient in soils and reducing the demand for phosphate fertilizers. The objective of this study is to discuss the importance of phosphorus and how microorganisms can intermediate its sustainable use in agriculture. In this review study, we present several studies about the role of microorganisms as phosphorus mobilizers in the soil. We describe the importance of the nutrient for the plants and the main problems related to the unsustainable exploitation of its natural reserves and the use of chemical fertilizers. Mainly we highlight how microorganisms constitute a fundamental resource for the release of the inert portion of the nutrient, where we describe several mechanisms of solubilization and mineralization. We also discussed the benefits that the inoculation of P-solubilizing microorganisms provides to crops as well as practices of using them as bioinoculants. The use of microorganisms as inoculants is a viable resource for the future of sustainable agriculture, mainly because its application can significantly reduce the application of P and, consequently, reduce the exploitation of phosphorus and its reserves. In addition, new research must be conducted for the development of new technologies, prospecting new biological products, and improvement of management practices that allow for higher efficiency in the use of phosphorus in agriculture.

Investigate the impact of microorganism species richness, carrier materials, and nitrogen fertilizer on (Eruca vesicaria subsp. Sativa) growth and its active compounds content: Running Title; Fertilizer and Arugula

“…It also the activity of external enzymes, resulting in an increased production of organic acids in the rhizosphere, improving the efficiency of enzyme activity in the soil [29]. Moreover, the experiment's treatments had significant effects on leaf phosphorus content, possibly due to the role of phosphatesolubilizing fungi, including Trichoderma, which possesses various properties and characteristics that promote plant growth [30]. These properties include acidification, production of chelating metabolites, redox activity, as well as the production of growth regulators like ethylene, gibberellins [31], and IAA [32], which enhance plant growth and develop a dense and strong root system capable of extracting nutrients such as phosphorus.…”

Phosphate Solubilization and Plant Growth Promotion by Pantoea brenneri Soil Isolates

“…A large amount of phosphorus from chemical fertilizers rapidly becomes immobilized due to its fixation, adsorption, and precipitation. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are capable of hydrolyzing organic and inorganic phosphorus into soluble forms, thus making it bioavailable to plants [ 28 ]. In this study, we determined the phosphate-mobilizing activity of P. brenneri strains and evaluated the effect of bacterial inoculation on potato tubers.…”

“…Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria have various mechanisms to increase the bioavailability of phosphorus in the soil [ 36 ]. One of the ways for bacteria to carry out P-solubilization is the secretion of mineral-dissolving complexes or compounds (siderophores, protons, hydroxyl ions, organic acids) [ 28 ]. Organic acids, which are low-molecular-weight compounds, are described as the main mechanism for inorganic phosphate solubilization [ 37 ].…”

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria exploration on butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea l) from North Maluku Indonesia

“…In this study, bacterial isolates could dissolve phosphate perhaps by organic acid production and fix dinitrogen through nitrogenase activity. Nitrogen and phosphate are an essential macronutrient for plant growth [16]. Nitrogen is required particularly for plant growth while phosphor is prominent during the flowering and fruiting stadia.…”