Plant growth promotion by phosphate solubilizing fungi – current perspective

Phosphorus is abundant in soils in both organic and inorganic forms; nevertheless, it is unavailable to plants. Accordingly, soil becomes phosphorus (P)-deficient, making P one of the most important nutrient elements limiting crop productivity. To circumvent the P deficiency, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms could play an important role in making P available for plants by dissolving insoluble P. The dissolution of inorganic P by microbial communities including fungi is though common under in vitro conditions; the performance of phosphate-solubilizing microbes in situ has been contradictory. Fungi exhibit traits such as mineral solubilization, biological control, and production of secondary metabolites. As such, their potential to enhance plant growth when present in association with the roots is clear. The challenge is how to make use of such biological resources to maintain soil health while increasing the crop productivity by providing P to plants through the application of phosphate-solubilizing fungi. The present review focuses on the mechanisms of phosphate solubilization, development and mode of fungal inoculants application and mechanisms of growth promotion by phosphate-solubilizing fungi for crop productivity under a wide range of agro-ecosystems, and the understanding and management of P nutrition of plants through the application of phosphate-solubilizing fungi will be addressed and discussed.