Kurthia Sp, a Novel Member of Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria from Rhizospheric Tea Soil of Darjeeling Hills, India

Abstract

Rhizospheric soil from tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] bushes of Darjeeling hills was screened for the presence of phosphate solubilising bacterial populations on Pikovskayas agar. One of the potent strains was identified as Kurthia sp. In vitro tricalcium phosphate solubilising ability of this strain was determined as 40.62±1.1 mg/l with a drop in pH from 7.0 to 5.60 indicating the importance of acid production in the solubilisation process. This strain also produced growth regulating substance (IAA) under in-vitro conditions in the presence of precursor tryptophan. The amount of IAA released was 17.5 mg/l. This genus is considered as new novel member as phosphate solubilisers which may be developed as phosphatic biofertilizers after further characterisation in field conditions.