Mechanism of insoluble phosphate solubilization by Pseudomonas fluorescens RAF15 isolated from ginseng rhizosphere and its plant growth-promoting activities.

AIMS: To investigate the mechanism of insoluble phosphate (P) solubilization and plant growth-promoting activity by Pseudomonas fluorescens RAF15.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

We investigated the ability of Ps. fluorescens RAF15 to solubilize insoluble P via two possible mechanisms: proton excretion by ammonium assimilation and organic acid production. There were no clear differences in pH and P solubilization between glucose-ammonium and glucose-nitrate media. P solubilization was significantly promoted with glucose compared to fructose. Regardless of nitrogen sources used, Ps. fluorescens RAF15 solubilized little insoluble P with fructose. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that Ps. fluorescens RAF15 produced mainly gluconic and tartaric acids with small amounts of 2-ketogluconic, formic and acetic acids. During the culture, the pH was reduced with increase in gluconic acid concentration and was inversely correlated with soluble P concentration. Ps. fluorescens RAF1 showed the properties related to plant growth promotion: pectinase, protease, lipase, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide, and indoleacetic acid.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the P solubility was directly correlated with the organic acids produced.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Pseudomonas fluorescens RAF15 possessed different traits related to plant growth promotion. Therefore, Ps. fluorescens RAF15 could be a potential candidate for the development of biofertilizer or biocontrol agent.