Tropentag 2020, September 9 - 11, virtual conference, Germany "Food and nutrition security and its resilience to global crises"

Phosphate Solubilizing Activity of Native Guatemalan Isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens

¹Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Fac. of Tropical AgriSciences, Dept. of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Guatemala
²Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Facultad de Agronomía, Guatemala
³University of Agriculture in Nitra, Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Slovakia

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element in agricultural production. However, due to its complex dynamics, only a small portion of the total present in the soil can be used by plants. This is because most are found in insoluble forms, especially in Andisol soils of volcanic origin. Phosphate solubilising microbes (PSMs) are an alternative to transform this element into soluble forms that can be used by plants; in addition to not generating environmental pollution and representing a low cost compared to the production of fertilisers. The main objective of this research was to identify and evaluate in vitro, the phosphate solubilising activity, and stability of native Guatemalan isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria and its relation with its genetic diversity. The isolates were obtained from regions of Guatemala where Andisol soils represent a limitation to agricultural production due to the high P fixation phenomenon. A total of 35 P. fluorescens isolates were identified and confirmed through specific PCR. Subsequently, the genetic diversity of the isolates was analysed with the molecular marker AFLP. Phosphate solubilising activity and stability were evaluated by relating the solubilisation halo to the bacterial growth halo through the solubilisation index. For this, in vitro cultures of the isolates were performed in NBRIP medium taking tricalcium phosphate Ca₃(PO₄)₂ as the source of insoluble phosphorus. High genetic diversity was identified among the P. fluorescens isolates, as well as the isolates with the highest solubilisation index and stability showed greater genetic similarity. The Pf 30 isolate showed the highest solubilisation index, while the Pf 7 isolate was the most stable. Finally, due to the solubilisation potential of P. fluorescens isolates observed in vitro, future evaluation of the solubilising activity is suggested under field conditions with different soil types and in association with different crops. This in order to identify the isolates with the best solubilisation potential and thus offer a viable solution to agricultural producers affected by phosphorous fixation.

Keywords: Andisols, genetic diversity, phosphate solubilising activity, Pseudomonas fluorescens

Contact Address: José Alejandro Ruiz-Chután, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Fac. of Tropical AgriSciences, Dept. of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, 15 Calle B 16-61 Zona 6, 01006 Guatemala, Guatemala, e-mail: josealejandro.ruizicloud.com