Vol. 10, Issue 1 (2021)

Author(s):
Barge Monika Suresh, GG Khot, NP Patil, PP Patil and SA Shewale

Abstract:
Phosphate-solubilizing Fungi (PSF) function in soil phosphorus cycle, increasing the availability of soil phosphorus for plants. The present study was aimed at isolating and characterizing phosphate solubilizing fungi from groundnut field using pikovaskayas medium, and evaluate the co-inoculation effect of Rhizobium leguminosarum and phosphate solubilizing fungi on growth, yield and nutrient content in groundnut. The results showed high solubilizing index in agar plates, wich was released considerable amounts of P into medium. Solubilization index (SI) ranged from 1.92 to 3.36. The results indicates positive effect of application of Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi on plant growth. Field experiment showed that the inoculation of groundnut seed with phosphate-solubilizing fungi (A. niger) significantly increased plant height, number of branches per plant, dry matter, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, 100- grain weight and yield of groundnut plants as compared to the control. There was an increase in the percentage of N and P content of the plant. Soil analysis showed that the available P significantly increased when compared to the initial soil.