Solubilization of Tricalcium Phosphate and Production of IAA by Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Isolated from Tea Rhizosphere Soil

Rhizospheric soil from tea [Camellia sinensis L.] was screened for the presence of phosphate solubilizing bacterial populationin-vitro where eight isolates were able to solubilize tri calcium phosphate in Pikovskaya's agar. These isolates were also screened for phosphate solubilization in liquid medium. Phosphate solubilizing activities of these strains were associated with a drop in the pH of the medium. Furthermore, these 8 isolated strains were inoculated in specific media containing tryptophan to produce growth regulating substances indole acetic acid (IAA) under in-vitro conditions. Amount of phosphate solubilized ranged from 11.07±0.91–82.77±0.96mg/l and IAA production ranged from 11.23–28.78 mg/l. These bacterial strains may be further characterized and field tested for their use as effective growth promoters for hill crops.