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Phosphorus-solubilizing fungi improve growth and P nutrition in sorghum at variable salinity levels

Summary

Researchers discovered special salt-loving fungi that can help crops absorb more phosphorus even in salty soils. These fungi produce organic acids and other compounds that unlock phosphorus trapped in soil, making it available for plants. When sorghum seeds were treated with these fungi, the plants grew better and absorbed more phosphorus, even under high salinity conditions. This discovery offers a sustainable way to improve crop production in salt-affected soils without relying heavily on chemical fertilizers.

Background

Salt-tolerant phosphorus solubilizing fungi (PSF) play a pivotal role in plant growth promotion and phosphorus nutrition in saline agro-ecoregions. Saline soils are chemically degraded and reduce crop productivity through complex biotic and abiotic stresses, with high salinity negatively affecting phosphorus availability and uptake.

Objective

To isolate and characterize salt-tolerant fungi with phosphorus-solubilizing potential and assess their plant growth promotion ability in sorghum at different salinity levels. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of salt-tolerant PSF on soil phosphorus pools and crop performance in salt-affected soils.

Results

Five salt-tolerant PSF species were identified: Penicillium oxalicum, Talaromyces islandicus 1 and 2, Penicillium canescens, and Penicillium setosum. Penicillium oxalicum demonstrated highest salt-tolerance and greatest phosphorus solubilization. Fungal inoculation increased phosphorus content in sorghum roots 3.8-11 times and improved plant growth and phosphorus uptake at all salinity levels, with siderophore, ammonia, HCN and organic acid production explaining 46-47% of inoculation responsiveness.

Conclusion

Augmenting crop rhizospheres with salt-tolerant PSF having inherent salinity tolerance and phosphorus solubilization capability is an agronomically sound option to improve salinity tolerance and phosphorus nutrition in salt-affected soils. These fungi require field validation as potential biofertilizers for sustainable phosphorus availability in saline agricultural systems.
  • Published in:Environmental Microbiome,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41024202, DOI: 10.1186/s40793-025-00716-3
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