Towards the mechanisms of nutrient solubilization and fixation in soil system

Abstract

Growth and development of plants depend on the nutrients present in the soil; thus it becomes necessary to provide the essential nutrients to plants. Soil is a major reservoir through which plants obtain nutrients for their growth. However, most of the nutrients in the soil occur in insoluble forms making the availability of nutrients restricted for the plants. Although chemical fertilization is a quick and efficient method, it is currently not recommended due to detrimental effects on soil and environment. On the other hand, the biological fertilization has proved to be an efficient method to supply necessary nutrients to the plants and maintain sustainability. Biofertilizers consist of a group of beneficial microorganisms that are capable of hydrolyzing essential nutrients from insoluble compounds, thus making them available for plants. A large number of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes have properties which enhance the solubility of metal ions by various mechanisms such as change of soil pH or direct chelation of metal cations. The present review focuses on the mechanisms and processes associated with microbial solubilization and fixation of nutrients in soil.