[The solubilization of four insoluble phosphates by some microorganisms]

Four insoluble phosphates of ferric phosphate (Fe-P), aluminum phosphate (Al-P), fluorapatite (FAP) and rock phosphate (RP) were used as a sole phosphorus resource for some phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms. It was found that there was significant difference in solubilizing these phosphates by the tested isolates. The fungi normally were more powerful than the bacteria in dissolving the phsophates. The microorganisms generally solubilized more phosphate when supplied with NO3- than with NH4+. However, the isolates of 2TCiF2 and 4TCiF6 had much higher capacity to solubilize FAP and Al-P respectively in NH4+ medium. Most of the isolates solubilized readily FAP and RP, and then Al-P. Ferric phosphate was the least soluble to these isolates. Only isolate 2TCiF2 showed strong ability to solubilize Fe-P. In particular, two Aspergillus sp. had much higher capacity of dissolving Fe-P when suppled with NO3-. The isolates of Evwinia sp. 4TCRi22 and Enterobacter sp. 1TCRi15 had higher capacity of solubilizing FAP. But two Arthrobacter sp. showed the highest activity in RP medium. It is supposed that complexion of organic acids with metals may be the main reason for these isolates to solubilize the phosphates. However, other chelant substances may be much more important for Enterobacter sp. and Erwinia sp. to release phosphorus from the phsphates.