Biosolubilization of rock phosphate by three stress-tolerant fungal strains

Three stress-tolerant phosphate-solubilizing fungal strains identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus japonicus, and Penicillium simplicissimum were isolated from wheat rhizospheric soil. The strains demonstrated different capabilities of phosphate solubilization in National Botanical Research Institute's phosphate medium containing rock phosphate (RP) as sole phosphorus (P) source, and the solubilization of RP by P. simplicissimum was the most effective among these strains, followed by A. niger and A. japonicus. All the strains exhibited high levels of stress tolerance like 10∼45°C temperature, 4∼11 pH, 0∼3.5% NaCl, and 0∼35% PEG 10000. The strains also differed in their abilities to survive and release soluble P from RP under different stresses. A. niger showed significantly higher tolerance to temperature and pH over the other two strains. Higher amount of spores and content of soluble P in the medium were observed in the presence of 3.5% NaCl with P. simplicissimum, followed by A. niger and A. japonicus. P. simplicissimum could not solubilize RP in the presence of 35% PEG 10000, which exhibited the lowest tolerance to desiccation stress among the three strains.