Inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria improves soil phosphorus mobilization and maize productivity

Abstract Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria represent a bioalternative in making soil-immobilized phosphorus (P) available to plants, and consequently improve agriculture sustainability reduce nutrient pollution. In this study, we examined whether Rhizobium sp. B02 inoculation can affect the soil P fractions. Moreover, investigated how influences growth, physiological traits, productivity of maize crop. Field tests were carried out evaluate combined application strain reduced doses fertilizer. Soil fractionation was performed after crop harvesting, assessing dynamics. To study plant response, samplings three phenological stages—the vegetative stage 7 fully emerged leaves with leaf collars (V7), tassel (VT), reproductive maturity (R6). Using 50% fertilizer recommended, increased labile inorganic fraction by 14% compared control treatment at same dose, indicating that it favored Pi mobility. Under these conditions V7 VT stages, significantly improved shoot length (28 3%) dry weight (9.8 12%). grain yield 696 kg ha −1 using recommended rate fertilizer, phenocopying complete fertilization without inoculation. Therefore, replaced availability.