Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms for Cereal Production in Adamawa (Cameroon)

Abstract

Phosphorus is usually a limiting factor of acidic tropical soil and limited by the low availability and high cost. The present study aimed to evaluate the interaction of Hangloa vivianite (as phosphorus supply), the selected Mycorrhizal fungi strains (M) and Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM) on maize production in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon. An experimental design with 15 combinations of bacteria strains (B), ( BGL12 as B1, SSL9 as B2, BNBL17 as B3, RBNBL5 as B4, and the combinations of these singles strains, namely B1B2, B1B3, B1B4, B2B3, B2B4, B3B4, B1B2B3, B1B2B4, B1B3B4, B2B3B4, B1B2B3B4) and 05 inputs (mycorrhiza (M), Rock Phosphate (RP) and mixture of M with RP (RP+M)), negative control (C-) and positive control (C+)) was used. After four months of growth, nutrients (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) content and grain yield were assessed. Results indicated that total phosphorus content of M, RP and RP+M plants were 2.42, 2.11 and 4.00 fold higher than that of unfertilized plants. M, RP and RP+M increased maize seeds yield by 26.20%, 26.89% and 165.51% relative to negative control. The benefit of the selected PSM with Mycorrhizal fungi strains (246.76% for N; 216.34% for P) and with the Rock Phosphate (314.23% for N; 167.26% for P) was more pronounced with the combination of RP+M (1030.45% for N and 967.31% for P). These results showed that PSM associated with Mycorrhiza can be used as inoculants to improve the efficiency of vivianite as phosphate fertilizer for sustainable maize production under Sudano-Guinean Climate of Adamawa Cameroon region.