Diversity and Phosphate Solubilization Efficiency of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Isolated from Semi-Arid Agroecosystems of Eastern Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Phosphorus (P) is a major nutrient required for plant growth but it forms complexes with other elements in soil upon application. A cost-effective way of availing P to plants is by use of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB). There is a wide range of PSB suited for diverse agro-ecologies. A large part of Eastern Kenya especially the lower altitude regions are semi-arid with nutrient depleted soils and predominated by low-income smallholders farmers who do not afford costly inorganic fertilizers. To alleviate poor soil nutrition in this agroecosystem, we sought to study the diversity of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and their phosphate solubilization efficiency. The bacteria were selectively isolated in Pikovskaya's agar media. Bacterial colonies were enumerated as Colony Forming Units a

SUBMITTER: Kirui CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9019392 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature