English

Abstract

Global warming stimulates soil salinization and calcification, resulting in phosphorus (P) deficiency in arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can enhance phosphorus availability, but their role has been less explored under arid and semiarid climatic conditions. A two-year consecutive field experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PSB loading onto seeds, organic, and mineral fertilizers. The trial followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications for each treatment. There were five treatments: T1 was the uninoculated control with no fertilizer (Control), T2 was uninoculated with recommended NPK (NPK), T3 was PSB-inoculated wheat seeds (PSB-Seed), T4 was PSB-inoculated organic fertilizer (PSB-OF), and T5 was PSB-inoculated mineral fertilizer (PSB-MF). Results revealed that inoculation with PSB onto seeds, organic, or mineral fertilizer had a more pronounced impact not only on the vegetative development and yield of wheat but also on P contents in grains. It was observed that the PSB-inoculated mineral fertilizer treatment responded well, showing noticeable wheat biomass accumulation, grain yield, and improved P uptake in grain and straw. Interestingly, the highest uptake of nitrogen (N) in wheat grain was observed with both PSB-inoculated organic fertilizer treatment and PSB-inoculated mineral fertilizer treatment, highlighting the efficacy of slow-release nitrogen from organic fertilizer in addition to the impact of PSB. In conclusion, PSB inoculation on organic or mineral fertilizer has substantial potential in enhancing crop productivity and combating P deficiency in arid and semi-arid regions.