Incidence of Phosphate Solubilising Fungal Population in Soils of Barbara Forest of Odisha, India

Abstract

The present study deals with the isolation of soil fungi from Barbara forest of Odisha and screening for their phosphate solubilising potential under submerged culture in presence of TCP and rock phosphate. The soil samples collected from 20 different sites showed pH ranged from 4.8 - 7.6. Analysis of soluble P content was ranged from 26.88-277.76 kg/ha. Evaluation of fungal population in soils of different sites exhibited the highest fungal count in site one (2.92±2.23cfu/g) followed by site 10 (2.7±0cfu/g). The maximum PSF was found in Site 2(0.625±0.25cfu/g) and 10(0.76±0.7cfu/g) soils. Among all fungal population of all sites of soils studied, six fungi were found as phosphate solubilisers having 1.28-1.5colonization index. Penicillium sp.showed higher TCP solubilisation potential (36.7±2.31%) whereas Aspergillus sp. had the capacity to solubilise Rock phosphate besides TCP also. Outcome of present study clearly indicate the presence of fungi with a good potential of mineral solubilisation in these soils. Further, experimental evidence is required to explore the possibility of these fungi for field application.