DefinePK

Abstract

Aspergillus niger strain BHUAS01, Penicillium citrinum strain BHUPC01 and Trichoderma harzianum was tested for phosphate solubilizing potential and plant hormones production indole acetic acid. The fungal strains were tested for their in-vitro phosphate solubilizing potential using Pikovskaya broth containing tricalcium phosphate TCP as the sole phosphorus source. All the cultures were found to solubilize TCP but with varying potential. The Aspergillus niger showed maximum amount of soluble phosphate 328 g mL-1, followed by P. citrinum 301 g mL-1 and T. harzianum 287 g mL-1 after 6 days of incubation at 282C. Indole Acetic Acid IAA production was estimated maximum in A. niger 85 g mL-1 followed by T. harzianum 68 g mL-1 and P. citrinum 52 g mL-1 after 3 days of incubation at 282C. T. harzianum is a well known biological controlling agent against several soil borne phytopathogens. It showed antagonistic against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. Under laboratory conditions, coinoculation of T. harzianum and A. niger showed significant increase in chickpea Cicer arietinum growth parameters including shoot length, root length and dry weight of shoot and root followed by single inoculation of T. harzianum and coinoculation of A. niger and P. citrinum over control. The study explores high P-solubilizing potential of A. niger and T. harzianum, which can be exploited for the solubilization of fixed phosphates present in the soil and produce IAA, thereby enhancing soil fertility and plant growth. Coinoculation of T. harzianum and A. niger could be effective biofertilizer and biocontroling agent for chickpea production.