Phosphate solubilization potential of rhizosphere fungi isolated from satoimo taro plant

Abstract

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required by plants for their growth and development. Phosphates bioavailability in nature is approximately 95-99% but insoluble, therefore the plant can not simply use them. The alternative to overcome phosphate deficiency is by utilizing phosphate solubilizing fungi. This research is aimed at selecting and characterizing phosphate solubilizing fungi in rhizosphere of saitomo taro (Colocasia esculenta var antiquorum). The test on isolate ability to solubilize phosphate was conducted through qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative was carried out by counting index of phosphate solubilization on solid Pikovskaya while quantitative was through counting concentration of phosphate solubilization through spectrophotometry at wave length 693 nm. The result of qualitative test showed that the highest index of phosphate solubilisation was 1.08 at isolate RTP25 while quantitative demonstrated that isolate RTP16 released highest concentration of phosphate solubilization with the amount 12.78 µgl−1. Isolate RTP 25 (by Trichoderma sp) and RTP16 (by Aspergillus sp) be potential to be developed as phosphate biofertilizer.