Lacking Phosphorus? These Microbes Might be the Answer

 By: Umberto Fasci

 

The distribution and activity of isolated PSMicro strains in bamboo rhizosphere. A. Isolated PSmicro strains in bamboo rhizosphere. B. Relative abundances of isolated PSMicro strains in bamboo rhizosphere. C. Variation in phosphorus solubilization by Pseudomonas sp. in bamboo rhizosphere. D. Variation in phosphorus solubilization by Burkholderia sp. in bamboo rhizosphere. Figure taken from Xing et al. 2021.

To understand the importance of what this study investigates, I will illuminate the importance of phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMicros). PSMicros are essential in assisting associated plants to resist phosphorus deficiency in soils. On the whole, this study investigates the microbial diversity of PSMicro strains from several bamboo rhizosphere sites. The study showed great variation in microbial diversity between these bamboo rhizosphere sites where 52 PSMicro strains were isolated and identified. Among these isolations, 10 bacteria genera and 4 fungal genera were identified. From this, the researchers of this study found that Bacillus, Kluyvera, Buttiauxella, Meyerozyma and Penicillium species were most readily utilized to supply plant-usable phosphorus from both organic and inorganic phosphorus sources. As such, this study identifies PSMicro strains which can be possibly used in ecosystem restoration. A good step for future research into this subject should take these results as reference, and to conduct a more thorough investigation with metagenomic techniques. The potential impacts alone this study has should inspire future research as such.

Xing, Y., Shi, W., Zhu, Y., Wang, F., Wu, H., and Ying, Y. (2021) Screening and activity assessing of phosphorus availability improving microorganisms associated with bamboo rhizosphere in subtropical China. Environ Microbiol 23: 6074–6088.