Roles of Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms from Managing Soil Phosphorus Deficiency to Mediating Biogeochemical P Cycle

• Published in: Biology (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 10; no. 2; p. 158
• Main Authors: Tian, Jiang, Ge, Fei, Zhang, Dayi, Deng, Songqiang, Liu, Xingwang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 17.02.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Aquatic ecosystems; Atmosphere; Bioavailability; Biogeochemical cycles; Biogeochemistry; Biomass; Climate change; Dietary minerals; Enzymes; Eutrophication; Fertilizers; Mineralization; Nitrogen; P biogeochemical cycle; P forms; Phosphatase; phosphate solubilizing microorganisms; Phosphates; Phosphorus; Precipitation; Review; Roles; Soil microorganisms; soil P; P forms; phosphate solubilizing microorganisms; soil P; P biogeochemical cycle
• ISSN: 2079-7737; 2079-7737
• DOI: 10.3390/biology10020158

Phosphorus (P) is a vital element in biological molecules, and one of the main limiting elements for biomass production as plant-available P represents only a small fraction of total soil P. Increasing global food demand and modern agricultural consumption of P fertilizers could lead to excessive inputs of inorganic P in intensively managed croplands, consequently rising P losses and ongoing eutrophication of surface waters. Despite phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) are widely accepted as eco-friendly P fertilizers for increasing agricultural productivity, a comprehensive and deeper understanding of the role of PSMs in P geochemical processes for managing P deficiency has received inadequate attention. In this review, we summarize the basic P forms and their geochemical and biological cycles in soil systems, how PSMs mediate soil P biogeochemical cycles, and the metabolic and enzymatic mechanisms behind these processes. We also highlight the important roles of PSMs in the biogeochemical P cycle and provide perspectives on several environmental issues to prioritize in future PSM applications.