Isolation and identification of phosphate‐solubilizing microorganisms and distribution of orthophosphate in different seasons from sewage‐fed East Kolkata Wetland

Abstract

AbstractThis study focused on isolation and identification of possible phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from the sewage‐fed East Kolkata Wetland (EKWL), a prospective water resource for pisciculture. In addition, different limnological parameters have been correlated with orthophosphate and seasonal variations. PSB have been isolated in Pikovskaya medium and identified morphologically and biochemically and finally analysed by 16S rDNA gene sequence. Limnological studies involving temperature (potentiometric), pH (potentiometric), dissolved oxygen (iodometric), ammonia‐nitrogen (spectrophotometric) and orthophosphate (spectrophotometric) concentrations were conducted. The results of this study established the presence of Bacillus megaterium, a potential PSB in EKWL. The activity of B. megaterium is also supported by the seasonal orthophosphate variations. The changes in concentration of other limnological parameters were also prominent. The water quality parameters of temperature (r = 0.886), dissolved oxygen (r = 0.729) and ammonia‐nitrogen (r = 0.396) concentrations exhibited a positive correlation with orthophosphate and a negative correlation with pH (r = −0.699). The B. megaterium obtained in this study, exhibited a significant alteration in regard to orthophosphate content and relationships with other factors. Further experiment on the soluble phosphorus solubilization potential of B. megaterium revealed the biological availability of phosphorus was increased by threefold after 120 hr of incubation, with the decreasing pH value, although the phytase activity was 0.419 U/ml. PSB have a vital function in plant nutrition in supplying phosphate, essential nutrients and its uptake results in appropriate functioning and metabolism of different aquatic plants and organisms. PSB are competent biofertilizer to amplify aquaculture production for sustainable development.