Research Article
E. Kannapiran and V. Sri Ramku
Abstract
Sediment samples were collected from different stations of the Thondi coast, Palk Strait, for the isolation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and to estimates the physico-chemical parameters between October 2008 to March 2009. PSB population ranged between 0.80– 2.56x104 cells g-1. Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Vibrio, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium, Corynebacterium, Alcaligenes and Enterobacter were isolated. Pseudomonas and Bacillus were found to solubilize more phosphates than others. Further phosphate solubilizing activity and solubilization index were also monitored. The phosphate solubilizing potential of Pseudomonas sp was confirmed as a proficient solubilizer than others, where P solubilization was 1670 μg ml-1 associated with reduction of pH. These bacteria were found to be highly adaptive and therefore, can significantly contribute to the phosphate economy of the marine environ.