Publication:
Minjingu phosphate rock applications increase the population of phosphate solubilising microorganisms with a positive impact on crop yields in a Kenyan Ferralsol

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Total Views 0
total views
Total Downloads 0
total downloads

Date

2014-11-30

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Funder

BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

Publisher

Springer Link

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Cite this Item

Ndungu-Magiroi, K. W., Waswa, B., Bationo, A., Okalebo, J. R., Othieno, C., Herrmann, L., & Lesueur, D. (2014). Minjingu phosphate rock applications increase the population of phosphate solubilising microorganisms with a positive impact on crop yields in a Kenyan Ferralsol. Springer Link. https://repository.nrf.go.ke/handle/123456789/880

Abstract

Soil microbes such as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria play significant roles in the solubilisation of inorganic phosphorus (P), mineralization of organic P and in improving plant P uptake. It is known that phosphate solubilising microorganisms (PSM) populations largely vary depending on the ecosystems, the cropping systems or the soil management. The capacity of Minjingu phosphate rock (PR) to enhance the populations of native PSM under three cereal–legume rotation systems was assessed in the third season of rotation. Triple super phosphate (TSP) was used as a positive control. In comparison to the negative control, application of Minjingu PR increased the total fungal diversity and phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) population by 67–90 % while high rates of TSP significantly (p < 0.05) reduced bacterial diversity and populations of PSB by 46–69 %. Minjingu PR also resulted in both crop and legume yields increase (41–104 % compared to the control), which were similar to those obtained with TSP application. Cropping systems incorporating sparingly soluble P sources such as Minjingu PR into soils can stimulate the populations of native PSB and agronomic productivity. They may represent a promising way of minimizing the utilization of mineral P fertilizers.

Description

Keywords

Minjingu phosphate rock, Phosphate solubilising bacteria, Fungal and bacterial diversity, PCR–DGGE

Collections

Usage Statistics