Clover growth in response to naturalised P-solubilising bacteria in New Zealand

Abstract

For New Zealand pastures the main fertiliser costs are associated with the delivery of nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P). With recognition that increased consumption of N and P fertilisers and the augmentation in soil Olsen-P levels is unsustainable, there is impetus to identify micro-organisms capable of delivering these elements to plants. Phosphate solubilising bacteria present in the rhizosphere or in nodules have the capacity to convert immobilized soil P into plant available P, and promote plant growth. The potential to identify strains with dual activity of N-fixation and P-solubilisation makes them a promising group for research efforts.