Evaluation of Phosphate Solubilising Potential of SomeEndophytic Fungi under Solid and Liquid State

Abstract

Twenty six fungi belonging to Alternaria, Aspergillus, fusarium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium sp. and few sterile mycelia were evaluated for the phosphate solubilising properties under solid and submerged culture
conditions. Most of the Aspergillus sp. exhibited good solubilisation activity than other species listed. Plate screening test confirm the highest phosphate solubilisation efficiency by Sterile mycelium sp. 3 (89.4%)
followed by Aspergillus sp. 1 (85.7%) and Fusarium sp. 1 and 3 (81.25%). Solubilization index calculated for these fungi was ranged between 1.80-1.89 . All fungi were evaluated for phosphate solubilisation efficiency
under liquid culture condition supplemented with TCP. Aspergillus sp.4, Aspergillus sp.8 and Penicillium sp.1 solubilised 29.6%, 26.7% and 24.5% respectively. Decline in pH of the culture filtrate of 10 day old culture
was observed in liquid culture of Aspergillus sp. 2 (4.59), Aspergillus sp 4 (4.79) and Aspergillus sp 8 (4.9). However, no correlation was observed between acid production and phosphate solubilisation. These fungal
strains performed differentially under both culture conditions. Hence testing of phosphate solubilisation efficiency of these organisms under both the solid and liquid conditions is suggested in the present study.