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Isolation of Phosphorus-Solubilizing Fungus from Soil to Supplement Biofertilizer

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Abstract

A number of bacterial and fungal isolates from soil were screened for phosphorus solubilization. One fungal strain was found to be efficient phosphorus solubilizer in Pikovskaya medium. The selected strain was identified as Aspergillus niger based on morphological and microscopic studies. Some important cultural conditions were optimized, and optimal conditions for temperature, glucose, ammonium sulfate and pH were found \({30^{\circ}{\rm C}}\), 20, 2 and 5 g/L, respectively, in 48 h of incubation. The fungal strain produces organic acids as well as phosphatases and phytases that make the medium clear within 48 h by solubilizing the added tricalcium phosphate. The soluble phosphorus concentration of medium decreased after 48 h of incubation, possibly due to the consumption of phosphorus by the fungal mycelium itself.

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Author notes

  1. Rubina Nelofer

    Present address: Food and Biotechnology Research Centre, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Laboratories Complex, Ferozpur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food and Biotechnology Research Centre, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Laboratories Complex, Ferozpur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan

    Quratulain Syed, Muhammad Nadeem, Sania Mazhar & Ammara Hassan

  2. Centre for Environmental Protection Studies, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Laboratories Complex, Ferozpur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan

    Farzana Bashir

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  1. Rubina Nelofer
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  2. Quratulain Syed
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Correspondence to Rubina Nelofer.

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Nelofer, R., Syed, Q., Nadeem, M. et al. Isolation of Phosphorus-Solubilizing Fungus from Soil to Supplement Biofertilizer. Arab J Sci Eng 41, 2131–2138 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1916-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-015-1916-2

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