Exploration of potent phosphate solubilizing bacteria with evaluating pesticide, heavy metal and antibiotic resistance properties for biofertilizer application in sustainable agriculture

Balaram Sarkar, Kouhei Ohnishi and Jatindra Nath Bhakta ()
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Balaram Sarkar: University of Kalyani
Kouhei Ohnishi: Research Institute of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University
Jatindra Nath Bhakta: University of Kalyani

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2025, vol. 27, issue 10, No 95, 25699-25731

Abstract: Abstract In order to manage the soil phosphorus (P) deficiency associated problem of retarded plant growth and crop yield, the application of excessive chemical P fertilizer along with other agrochemicals leads to soil pollution, degradation and unsustainable agriculture. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess some pollutants (pesticide, heavy metal and antibiotic) resistance and metal removal properties of potent phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) by exploring from the rhizosphere through the isolation, screening and characterization for proper functioning in sustainable agriculture. The rhizosphere soils were collected and inoculated in Pikovskaya’s agar media for growing PSB. A total of fourteen hollow zones exhibiting PSB colonies were isolated from rhizosphere soils. Among fourteen rhizosperic bacterial strains with high inorganic P solubilization potential, strains named KUJ1PSB1, KUJ1PSB2, KUJ1PSB10 and KUJ1PSB12 were the most promising ones as they were capable of solubilizing 163.75 to 245.49 mg/l of inorganic P. Out of four strains, the isolate KUJ1PSB2 showed the significantly (P 1000 mg/l) and heavy metal resistance (> 2000 mg/l) and removal (93.1% Cd, 53.6% Zn, 72% Pb, and 49% Cu). The hierarchical cluster and the principal component analyses underlined the role of phosphate solubilization and IAA as well as biochemical properties of KUJ1PSB2 in the plant growth promoting capacity of these strains. According to this, the isolate KUJ1PSB2 was chosen as the best PSB and was later determined by 16S rDNA sequencing. The obtained 16S rDNA sequence (1000 bp) has 98.81% similarity with Serratia marcescens. Phylogenetic studies also demonstrated its clustering towards the enclosing species of Serratia sp. and this isolate was identified as Serratia marcescens strain KUJ1PSB2. Finally, Serratia marcescens KUJ1PSB2 may be considered a novel and potential P solubilizing biofertilizer to produce a sustainably high rate of the crop at a low cost through organic agricultural practices and food production for the benefit of the farmers.

Keywords: Inorganic phosphate; Phosphate solubilizing bacteria; IAA; Biofertilizer; Enhanced plant growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-025-06460-5

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