Isolation and Screening of Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms from the Rhizosphere of Orange Plants in Kalmeshwar Tahsil Nagpur District, Maharashtra, India

The present study demonstrated the occurrence of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil of orange (Citrus sinensis) plants in Nagpur District, Maharashtra, India. The microorganisms were isolated using culture-based techniques and screened for phosphate-solubilizing activity using Pikovskaya's agar medium. Formation of clear halos around colonies provided preliminary evidence of phosphate-solubilizing ability. The rhizosphere of orange plants therefore represents a potential source of beneficial phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms. These microorganisms may contribute to phosphorus mobilization and could have potential applications as plant-growth-promoting microorganisms and biofertilizers. However, further quantitative phosphate-solubilization studies, molecular identification, greenhouse experiments and field trials are necessary to confirm their effectiveness and agricultural applicability.

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