Effect of Co-inoculation of Two Bacteria on Phosphate Solubilization

Two phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Pantoea rodasii PSB-11and Enterobacter aerogenes PSB-12, were isolated from button mushroom compost and employed to assess their synergistic effect in liquid medium and on growth of green gram plants by single and co-inoculation of the strains. Co-inoculation of two strains was found to release the highest content of soluble phosphorus ( $521{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$ ) into the medium, followed by single inoculation of Pantoea strain ( $485{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$ ) and Enterobacter strain ( $470{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$ ). However, there was no significant difference between single inoculation of bacterial strain and co-inoculation of two bacterial strains in terms of phosphorous release. The highest pH reduction, organic acid production and glucose consumption was observed in the E. aerogenes PSB-12 single inoculated culture medium rather than those of co-inoculation. According to the plant growth promotion bioassay, co-inoculated mung bean seedlings recorded 10.6% and 10.7% higher shoot and root growth respectively compared to the control. Therefore, in concluding, co-inoculation of the strains P. rodasii and E. aerogenes displayed better performance in stimulating plant growth than inoculation of each strain alone. However, being short assessment period of the present study, we recommend in engaging further works under field conditions in order to test the suitability of the strains to be used as bio-inoculants.