Phosphate-solubilizing potential of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora

The nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora was tested in vitro and in vivo for its ability to solubilize rock phosphate. Three types of rock phosphate (RP) from Burkina Faso (KRP), Senegal (TRP), and Mali (TIRP) were used at four concentrations for the in-vitro experiment. All three types of RP were solubilized by the fungus. The maximum quantity of P recovered in solution was obtained with TRP, 12.5% for an application of 1 g L-1. The effect of TRP and A. oligospora applied separately or in combination was tested in vivo on the growth of A. holosericea. In a P-deficient soil without addition of RP, P solubilization was increased by addition of A. oligospora. The P uptake by plants growing in soil amended with TRP and inoculated with A. oligospora was significantly higher compared to noninoculated controls, thus demonstrating the ability of the fungus to solubilize additional phosphate from RP in vivo.