Screening the Effect of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria on Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Phosphorus is a plant macronutrient that plays a significant role in plant metabolism, ultimately reflected on crop yields. Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play important role by enhancing its availability to plants through release from inorganic and organic soil P by solubilization and mineralization. In the present study, 6 Phosphate Solubilizing Bacterial strains were isolated on the Pikovskayas agar medium from soil samples of black gram field collected at Perambalur District, Tamilnadu, India. The PSB strains were identified as Azotobacter sp. , Rhizobium sp. Bacillus sp. , Pseudomonas sp. , Bacillus sp. and Rhizobium sp. Out of 6 PSB strains 2 strains PSB4 (2.47) and PSB5 (2.37) were showed highest phosphate solubilization Index (PSI). In pot culture experiment, PSB strains 4 and 5 applied black gram plants were significantly enhanced the morphometric datas compared with other PSB strains and control. The PSB4 and PSB5 applied plants were recorded higher shoot length (35.2 cm and 34.0 cm) and root length (15.1 cm and 14.3 cm), number of pods (63.1 and 58.2) and yield (33.8 g and 32.9 g) on 90 DAS. Followed by PSB3 and PSB6 were moderately enhanced plant growth and yield.