Ability of Emericella rugulosa to mobilize unavailable P compounds during Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] crop under arid condition.

Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms are ubiquitous in soils and could play an important role in supplying P to plants where plant unavailable P content in soil was more. A phosphatase and phytase producing fungus Emericella rugulosa was isolated and tested under field condition (Pearl millet as a test crop) in a loamy sand soil. In the experimental soil 68% organic phosphorous was present as phytin; less than 1% of phosphorous was present in a plant available form. The maximum effect of inoculation on different enzyme activities (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phytase, and dehydrogenase) was observed between 5 and 8 weeks of plant age. The depletion of organic P was much higher than mineral and phytin P. The microbial contribution was significantly higher than the plant contribution to the hydrolysis of the different P fractions. A significant improvement in plant biomass, root length, seed and straw yield and P concentration of root and shoot resulted from inoculation. The results suggest that Emericella rugulosa produces phosphatases and phytase, which mobilize P and enhance the production of pearl millet.