Calcium phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from greenhouse ornamentals

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria acidify the culture media to solubilize calcium phosphate in vitro. Bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of greenhouse ornamental plants were selected in vitro for their ability to acidify the culture media using a colorimetric assay based on bromophenol blue (pH indicator). The amount of phosphate solubilized by the selected bacteria was quantified. The top phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) isolates were evaluated in a greenhouse experiment to test their ability to promote growth or ameliorate phosphorus deficiency symptoms in plants fertilized with calcium phosphate. For information on the greenhouse rhizobacteria collection, please contact Dr. Michelle Jones ([e-mail]).