Innovative Rhizosphere-Based Enrichment under P-Limitation Selects for Bacterial Isolates with High-Performance P-Solubilizing Traits
Noémie De Zutter, Maarten Ameye, Pieter Vermeir, Jan Verwaeren, Leen De Gelder, Kris Audenaert
Abstract
With the growing awareness on the ecological impact of chemical phosphate fertilizers, research concerning the use of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as a sustainable alternative for, or addition to these fertilizers is of paramount importance. In previous research, we successfully implemented a plant-based enrichment technique for PSB, which simultaneously selected for the rhizosphere competence and phosphate solubilizing characteristics of bacterial suspensions. Current research follows up on our previous findings, whereas we screened 250 rhizobacteria for their P-solubilizing traits and were able to substantiate the results obtained from the enriched suspensions at a single-isolate level. With this research, we aim for a paradigm shift toward the plant-based selection of PSB, which is a more holistic approach compared to the plate-based methods. We emphasize the strength of the previously described plant-based enrichment and selection technique for the isolation of highly efficient and diverse PSB.