Organic Manure Amended with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria on Soil Phosphorous Availability

Purpose : Combine use of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and organic manure has greater agronomic utility as it could improve phosphorous (P) utilization efficiency through conversion of insoluble P to accessible forms. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effect of different organic manures (poultry manure, goat manure and cow dung) with phosphate solubilizing microorganism on phosphorous availability.

Research Method : The phosphate solubilizing bacterial (PSB) strain employed in this study was isolated from soil samples collected from agricultural lands in Matara District of Sothern Sri Lanka. The strain was identified as Enterobacter cancerogenous. Eight treatment combinations each replicated three times were used in the study.

Findings : P availability of organic manure amended soils was progressively increased irrespectively the inoculation of PSB strain. The bulk of the increment occurred during the first 2 to 3 weeks of the incubation followed by slight reductions at the later stages. P availability of the soil amended with organic manures was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that of the control. Furthermore, the specified were much higher when PSB was inoculated to the soil amended with organic manures. PSB inoculants were used with poultry manure showed the highest P availability.

Originality / Value : The availability of soil phosphorous is enhanced by combine use of organic manures and PSB inoculants; the practice is suggested to be employed in integrated nutrient management strategies.