Solubilization of tricalcium phosphate and rock phosphate by microbes isolated from chromite, iron and manganese mines

Among 62 fungi and 253 bacteria obtained from heavy metal mines of Orissa (India) screened for phosphate solubilization properties, 12 fungi and 19 bacteria were found to solubilise tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Penicillium sp. 21 solubilised and released 81.48 mg PmL–1 whereas Penicillium sp. 2 showed better efficiency of rock phosphate solubilization and produced 4.87 mg PmL–1 into the liquid culture. Bacterial strains were comparatively poor solubilisers of TCPand rock phosphate in solid and liquid culture. The bacteria and fungi isolated from the mines of Orissa were endowed with phosphate solubilization properties. Phosphate solubilising fungi were acid producers and more efficient than bacterial isolates. Penicillium sp.21 and Penicillium sp. 2 were confirmed the best for TCP and rock phosphate solubilization