·         Key Features & Benefits:

Ø  Enhanced Nutrient Availability: PSB naturally secretes low-molecular-weight organic acids (such as citric and lactic acid) that dissolve tightly bound phosphorus, zinc, and iron, making them immediately absorbable by plant roots.

Ø  Increased Crop Yield: Improves overall plant health and stimulates reproduction, resulting in better flowering, enhanced fruiting, and yield boosts of up to 10–20%.

Ø  Stronger Root Development: Improved phosphorus uptake actively promotes robust root architecture and increased root surface area, which also enhances plant drought resilience.

Ø  Reduced Chemical Fertilizer Dependency: Helps decrease reliance on commercial phosphate fertilizers like DAP and SSP, lowering input costs and preventing toxic chemical buildup in the soil.

Ø  Soil Health & Sustainability: Eco-friendly and safe for the environment, PSB boosts natural microbial activity in the rhizosphere, leaving no harmful residues.

Ø  Disease Suppression: Many PSB strains produce siderophores and lytic enzymes that fight off soil-borne pathogens and protect crops from phytopathogens.

·         Crops suitability: Rice (Paddy), Wheat, Maize, Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Chickpea (Gram), Pigeon Pea (Tur), Lentil, Green Gram, Black Gram, Soybean, Groundnut, Mustard, Sunflower,

Sesame, Sugarcane, Cotton, Coffee, Tea, Tobacco, Tomato, Chili, Potato, Onion, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Banana, Pomegranate, Watermelon, Papaya, Citrus

·         Commonly used for (Insect / Diseases):

Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) are primarily beneficial biofertilizers that convert insoluble soil phosphorus into plant-available forms. They are not pesticides and do not target specific insects or diseases. Instead, by improving plant nutrition and root health, they naturally boost a plant's overall immunity and resilience against stress and root rot.

Ø  Stronger Cell Walls: By making phosphorus readily available, plants develop thicker, more robust cell walls which mechanically resist pathogen penetration.

Ø  Biocontrol Properties: Certain strains (like Bacillus and Pseudomonas) naturally produce antibiotics, siderophores, and enzymes that inhibit harmful fungi and bacteria in the root zone (rhizosphere).

Ø  Improved Root Health: Because well-nourished plants develop deeper and more vigorous root systems, they are better equipped to withstand or outgrow soil-borne diseases and drought stress.

·         Mode of entry: PSB is typically applied through soil inoculation to colonize the root zone (rhizosphere).

·         Mode of action:

Ø  Organic Acid Production: PSB secrete low-molecular-weight organic acids (e.g., gluconic, citric, lactic, and oxalic acids). These acids lower the soil pH and dissolve insoluble phosphates bound to calcium, iron, and aluminum.

Ø  Enzymatic Mineralization: These bacteria release enzymes like phosphatases and phytases. These enzymes break down complex, organic phosphorus compounds in the soil into simple, usable inorganic forms.

Ø  Chelation: PSB produce chelating agents (including siderophores) that bind with metal ions like Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺, freeing up the trapped phosphate ions for plant roots to absorb.

Ø  Proton Extrusion: Certain PSB species increase local phosphorus availability by actively extruding protons, creating an acidic microenvironment around the roots.

·         Mode of application: Seed Treatment, Nursery Bed Treatment, Seedling/Root Dip, Soil Application, Drip Irrigation

·         Dose: 1 liter in 1 acre