Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 4
Phosphate-Solubilizing Fungi: Impact
on Growth and Development of Economically
Important Plants
Hruda Ranjan Sahoo and Nibha Gupta
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is an important mineral macronutrient required for
proper growth and development of plants. It is involved in the synthesis of a series
of fundamental cellular molecules such as phospholipids, nucleic acids, nucleo-
tides, etc. Since it is deficient in soils, only a minute amount is available for plant
acquisition. Moreover, soluble chemical fertilizers are quickly immobilized in soil
and thus are not available for uptake by plants. So, alternative and cleaner agricul-
tural practices have to be developed. In this regard, P supply through biological
systems is considered a viable alternative, and inoculation of P-solubilizing micro-
organisms, especially fungi to soil, is a reliable source for increasing soluble P in
soil. Phosphate-solubilizing fungi have been reported from different ecological
niches such as agricultural fields, arctic region, forest, mangrove, mine areas,
volcanic areas, vermicompost, etc. Following inoculation, phospho-fungi have
shown to improve the growth of different group of plants such as cereals, legumes,
oilseed and fibre crops, vegetables and horticultural crop, etc. Overall, the use of
microbial inoculants particularly the phospho-fungi as a substitute to synthetic
phosphatic fertilizers has been found effective in plant-growth promotion and
inexpensive vis-`-vis maintaining the natural integrity and fertility of soil.
Keywords
Phosphate-solubilizing fungi • Mineral solubilizers • Biofertilizers
• Agricultural crops
