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Isolation of a starch utilizing, phosphate solubilizing fungus on buffered medium and its characterization
Amita Ahuja1, S B Ghosh, S F D'Souza
1Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.
Abstract:
A phosphate solubilizing fungus, Paecilomyces marquandii AA1 was isolated from phosphate deficient soil on Pikovskaya's medium buffered with Tris-HCl pH 8. The organism was identified on the basis of morphological characterization and by sequencing of 18S rRNA gene. The organism could release phosphate from both buffered and unbuffered medium and solubilized rock phosphates from various places. The effect of concentration of ore, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources on solubilization of rock phosphate was studied. Ammonium salts were the best nitrogen source, followed by asparagine, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, urea and calcium nitrate in that order.
Insights
This study isolated Paecilomyces marquandii AA1, a fungus capable of solubilizing rock phosphate. Optimal conditions for phosphate solubilization by this fungus were investigated, identifying ammonium salts as the best nitrogen source.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Soil Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Phosphate deficiency in soil limits plant growth.
- Microbial phosphate solubilization is a key process in nutrient cycling.
- Paecilomyces marquandii is a potential agent for improving soil phosphorus availability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify a phosphate-solubilizing fungus from soil.
- To investigate the rock phosphate solubilization capabilities of Paecilomyces marquandii AA1.
- To determine the optimal conditions for fungal phosphate solubilization.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of fungus on Pikovskaya's medium.
- Identification using morphological characterization and 18S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Assessing phosphate release from buffered and unbuffered media and various rock phosphates.
- Studying the effects of ore concentration, temperature, and carbon/nitrogen sources.
Main Results:
- Paecilomyces marquandii AA1 was successfully isolated and identified.
- The fungus demonstrated significant phosphate solubilization from diverse rock phosphates.
- Ammonium salts were identified as the most effective nitrogen source for solubilization.
Conclusions:
- Paecilomyces marquandii AA1 is an effective rock phosphate solubilizer.
- Optimizing environmental factors like nitrogen source enhances fungal phosphate solubilization.
- This fungus holds potential for use in sustainable agriculture to improve phosphorus availability.
