The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized Farmlands

The utilization rate of phosphorus fertilizer is low in Xinjiang, China, due to the fact that phosphorus is easily fixed by the widely distributed lime soil, leading to the limited contribution of phosphorus fertilizer to crop yield and a decline in crop quality. Phosphate-soluble bacteria can conve...

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Main Authors: Tong Wang, Yan Sun, Hong Huang, Ziwei Li, Hua Fan, Xudong Pan, Yiwen Wang, Yuxin Cao, Kaiyong Wang, Le Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1075
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author Tong Wang
Yan Sun
Hong Huang
Ziwei Li
Hua Fan
Xudong Pan
Yiwen Wang
Yuxin Cao
Kaiyong Wang
Le Yang
author_facet Tong Wang
Yan Sun
Hong Huang
Ziwei Li
Hua Fan
Xudong Pan
Yiwen Wang
Yuxin Cao
Kaiyong Wang
Le Yang
author_sort Tong Wang
collection DOAJ
description The utilization rate of phosphorus fertilizer is low in Xinjiang, China, due to the fact that phosphorus is easily fixed by the widely distributed lime soil, leading to the limited contribution of phosphorus fertilizer to crop yield and a decline in crop quality. Phosphate-soluble bacteria can convert insoluble phosphates in the soil into soluble phosphates, playing an important role in soil phosphorus circulation and plant growth. In this study, two bacteria with strong phosphate-solubilizing ability, <i>Enterobacter hormaechei</i> (P1) and <i>Bacillus atrophaeus</i> (P2), were selected from severely salinized soils in Xinjiang, China. The taxonomic status of the strains was determined by analyzing the colony morphology and 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Then, the content of organic acids and the activity of acid phosphatase and phytase in the P1 and P2 fermentation broths were measured. Finally, field experiments were conducted in 20 April–2 October 2023 in Wulanwusu, Xinjiang, China, to analyze the effects of phosphate-solubilizing bacterial agents (P1, P2, and P3 (P1 + P2)) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and cotton yield. The results showed that both P1 and P2 could significantly solubilize phosphates and produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), lactic acid, and tartaric acid. In the cotton field under phosphorus fertilization, the cotton yield of P1, P2, and P3 treatments increased by 10.77%, 8.48%, and 14.00%, respectively, compared with no bacterial agent treatment (CK) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, the application of phosphate-solubilizing bacterial agents also significantly increased the content of available nutrients and the abundances of <i>Acidobacteria</i>, <i>Bacteroidetes</i>, <i>Fusarium</i>, <i>Bacteroidetes</i>, and <i>Verrucobacteria</i> in the soil compared with CK. In summary, inoculating with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria could promote cotton growth and yield formation by increasing soil available nutrients and altering soil microbial communities. This study will provide a basis for the efficient utilization of phosphorus resources and sustainable agricultural development.
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spelling doaj-art-5752e4ef04f045c79c828f07a56acb412025-08-20T03:14:43ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-05-01135107510.3390/microorganisms13051075The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized FarmlandsTong Wang0Yan Sun1Hong Huang2Ziwei Li3Hua Fan4Xudong Pan5Yiwen Wang6Yuxin Cao7Kaiyong Wang8Le Yang9Agricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization for Low Grade Phosphate Rock and Its Associated Resources, Guiyang 550000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaAgricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaThe utilization rate of phosphorus fertilizer is low in Xinjiang, China, due to the fact that phosphorus is easily fixed by the widely distributed lime soil, leading to the limited contribution of phosphorus fertilizer to crop yield and a decline in crop quality. Phosphate-soluble bacteria can convert insoluble phosphates in the soil into soluble phosphates, playing an important role in soil phosphorus circulation and plant growth. In this study, two bacteria with strong phosphate-solubilizing ability, <i>Enterobacter hormaechei</i> (P1) and <i>Bacillus atrophaeus</i> (P2), were selected from severely salinized soils in Xinjiang, China. The taxonomic status of the strains was determined by analyzing the colony morphology and 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Then, the content of organic acids and the activity of acid phosphatase and phytase in the P1 and P2 fermentation broths were measured. Finally, field experiments were conducted in 20 April–2 October 2023 in Wulanwusu, Xinjiang, China, to analyze the effects of phosphate-solubilizing bacterial agents (P1, P2, and P3 (P1 + P2)) on soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and cotton yield. The results showed that both P1 and P2 could significantly solubilize phosphates and produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), lactic acid, and tartaric acid. In the cotton field under phosphorus fertilization, the cotton yield of P1, P2, and P3 treatments increased by 10.77%, 8.48%, and 14.00%, respectively, compared with no bacterial agent treatment (CK) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, the application of phosphate-solubilizing bacterial agents also significantly increased the content of available nutrients and the abundances of <i>Acidobacteria</i>, <i>Bacteroidetes</i>, <i>Fusarium</i>, <i>Bacteroidetes</i>, and <i>Verrucobacteria</i> in the soil compared with CK. In summary, inoculating with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria could promote cotton growth and yield formation by increasing soil available nutrients and altering soil microbial communities. This study will provide a basis for the efficient utilization of phosphorus resources and sustainable agricultural development.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1075phosphate-solubilizing bacteriasoil fertilitysoil microorganisms
spellingShingle Tong Wang
Yan Sun
Hong Huang
Ziwei Li
Hua Fan
Xudong Pan
Yiwen Wang
Yuxin Cao
Kaiyong Wang
Le Yang
The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized Farmlands
Microorganisms
phosphate-solubilizing bacteria
soil fertility
soil microorganisms
title The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized Farmlands
title_full The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized Farmlands
title_fullStr The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized Farmlands
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized Farmlands
title_short The Effect of Selected Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on the Growth of Cotton Plants in Salinized Farmlands
title_sort effect of selected phosphate solubilizing bacteria on the growth of cotton plants in salinized farmlands
topic phosphate-solubilizing bacteria
soil fertility
soil microorganisms
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1075
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