Response of PSM inoculation to certain legumes and cereal crops

Abstract

Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) including bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes dwelling in soil or other environment, for example, rhizosphere, do play some vital roles in facilitating growth and development of legumes and cereal plants via one or simultaneous mechanisms. Phosphate-solubilizing microbes when applied in agricultural practices provide one of the major plant nutrients, phosphorus, to plants by transforming insoluble P into soluble and plant available forms. This practice of applying PSM for enhancing legumes and cereal production has been found inexpensive and in many cases a successful strategy of reducing fertilizer input in intensive agricultural practices. The advent of such an eco-friendly option in farming system holds greater promise for increasing the productivity of legumes and cereal crops. Here, an attempt is made in this chapter to highlight the role of PSM involving different microbial groups, used either alone or in combination, in the promotion of growth and yield of legumes and cereal crops in different production systems.