ASPERGILLUS CARBONARIUS AS A POTENTIAL PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZERJYOTHI V. AND BASAIAH THIPPESWAMYAbstract In this study, Aspergillus carbonarius was isolated, identified based on morphological and molecular characterization as 18s rRNA sequence and was deposited at Gen Bank, NCBI (MN904861). For the study of Phosphate (P) solubilization capacity of the fungus, different soil samples from different rhizosphere of medicinal plants were collected. Totally 37 P solubilized colonies of fungi were isolated after serial dilution using Pikovskayaâs medium and one of the fungus with high P solubilization was selected and tested P solubilization efficiency under laboratory condition. The fungus showed good P solubilization results, Solubilization index (SI) was found 3.54, % Solubilization efficiency (SE) was measured 254, pH of culture filtrate after growth of fungus decreased from 6.89 to 3.6. The colour change from blue to yellow on agar plate and yellow from red in broth reduces to acidic condition due to growth of the fungus. Titrable acidity was found 37.76g/L and estimation of Phosphate in culture broth by Vanado â Molybdate method was found 30μg. The fungus showed positive result for siderophore and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production. Due to the phosphate solubilization capacity of the fungus, A. carbonarius can be recommended as Phosphate solubilizer in agricultural field. |