Zinc Solubilizing Rhizobacteria and Fungi: The Potent Contributors to Plant Growth Promotion and Enhancement of Zinc Content in Aloe Gel

Abstract

Background: Zinc solubilizing bacteria and fungi are possible alternatives for zinc supplementation and translate inorganic form of zinc to available forms for the plants. Methods: Two phosphates solubilising bacterial (ABB1, ABB2) and fungal (FSD1, FSD2) strains were initially isolated from the rhizospheric soil of the plant and were tested for their plant growth promoting ability and zinc solubilizing capability. Aloe barbadensis Mill. plants were inoculated with the microbial strains to assess their effects on plant growth and to quantify the zinc content in leaves using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Result: In our experiment, zinc content in the leaves of ZnO+ABB1+FSD2 set was found highest than ZnO treated set. Thus, present study plausibly desi gnates the abil ity of the Aloe plants f or solubi lizing zinc only i n presence of the rhizospheric microorganisms which indicates the potential of these microbial strains to use as biofertilizers in more sustainable way.