Isolation and Screening of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) from the Rhizosphere of Fenugreek Plants

Abstract

This study focuses on the isolation and screening of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in the rhizospheres of fenugreek plants from the agricultural lands of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the group of rhizobacteria which helps in maintaining soil fertility and plant development. The PGPR secretes acids, enzymes, and antibiotics, which helps in increasing population of the beneficial microorganism as well reducing the pathogenic group of population. This study involves screening of phosphate solubilizing bacteria qualitatively. A total of seven rhizospheric samples were collected from the agricultural land of Saurashtra region. A total forty-four bacterial colonies were isolated. Out of the forty-four isolates, eleven isolates were found to be phosphate solubilizing bacteria. The isolates were screened on Pikovskaya’s agar media by observing the formed halo-zone. In addition, pH indicator dyes such as Congo red and Bromothymol Blue (BTB) have been incorporated into the Pikovskaya’s media to observe more visually.