Evaluation of Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi from Mangrove Soil as Biofertilizer

Phosphates are one of the major nutrients, second only to nitrogen in requirement for plants. A greater part of soil phosphorus, approximately 95-99 % is present in the form of insoluble phosphates and cannot be utilized by plants. Most agricultural soils contain large reserves of phosphorus, a considerable part of which accumulates as a consequence of regular applications of phosphate fertilizers. In the present study fungal strains were isolated from mangrove soils, having potential to solubilize inorganic phosphates were characterized. Totally fifteen fungal strains were isolated, two fungal isolates were more potential activity for the phosphate solubilization assay. Two fungal strains such as Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. which are the most common fungi capable of phosphate solubilization. For a sustainable agricultural system, microbial solubilization of rock phosphate and its use in agriculture is receiving greater attention. Many soil fungi can solubilize inorganic phosphate in to soluble forms through the process of acidification, chelation, exchange reactions and production of organic acids. Application of phosphate solubilizing fungi in the field has been reported to increase crop yield.