Abstract

Most microorganisms that solubilize Phosphate for fertilization of the soil are usually found 15cm deep in the rhizosphere. Fresh agricultural soil samples collected from different locations in Umuahia and umudike, Abia State, were analyzed to isolate and identify the presence of Phosphate solubilizers. The soil samples were analyzed using Pikovskaya media, by spread plate method. The Pikovskaya plates were inoculated with dilutions 102, 103 and 105. All samples were identified and phosphate solubilizing bacteria were isolated. The bacteria count ranged from 1.0 x 102 cfu/g for soil obtained from plantain root, 1.0 x 105 cfu/g – 1.5 x 103 cfu/g for soil obtained from pawpaw root and 1.5 x 103 cfu/g -2.0 x 105 cfu/g obtained from cassava root. The bacteria isolates were identified as Bacillus spp, Alcaligene spp and Actinomycete spp. Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) plays an important role in supplementing phosphorous to the plants, allowing a sustainable use of phosphate fertilizers. Hence the study is important in isolating and identifying Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) in the soil samples in the study area and adding to the existing literatures on the topic, thus bridging the knowledge gap that seems to exist among farmers, students and researchers on Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) in soils in Umudike and Umuahia. The results obtained suggest that fresh soil collected from diverse locations of Umuahia and Umudike contains Phosphate solubilizing bacteria.