Influence of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria on the changes in soil available phosphorus and sugarcane and sugar yields

Abstract

Influence of application of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Bacillus megatherium var. Phosphaticum, at 10 kg ha −1 of lignite based culture with and without varying amounts of P fertilizer was studied on soil available P changes and sugarcane growth and yield. The PSB application increased the PSB population in the rhizosphere and the plant available P status in the soil. It also enhanced tillering, stalk population and stalk weight, and led to a cane yield increase of 12.6% over no application. When used in conjunction with P fertilizers, PSB reduced the required P dosage by 25%. In addition, it was found that 50% of the costly super phosphate could be replaced by rock phosphate (RP), a cheap source of P, when applied in conjunction with PSB. The PSB improved juice quality and sugar yields. The influence of PSB was greatest when RP constituted a part of the P fertilizers applied.