Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Improve Floriculture Crop Growth and Health

Research conducted by investigators at Ohio State University has revealed the potential of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to improve floriculture crop growth and health under phosphorus limiting conditions. The study identified 14 PSB strains from a greenhouse rhizobacteria collection, including Pantoea formicae C8D10 and Pantoea trifolii C2B11, which demonstrated the ability to solubilize phosphorus and promote plant growth. These findings have significant implications for the use of biostimulants to support phosphorus management in ornamental greenhouse production.

Key Takeaways:

• 1044 bacterial isolates were screened for phosphate solubilization capacity, with 35 showing significant reduction in media pH.
• The top 14 PSB were selected for whole-genome sequencing, revealing that 8 belonged to the genus Enterobacter, 5 to Pantoea, and 1 to Raoultella.
• In planta effects of strains C2B11 and C8D10 were evaluated in French marigolds (Tagetes patula), demonstrating increased shoot digital biomass and bloom area.
• Bromophenol blue proved useful for high-throughput PSB identification, but not all identified isolates showed high phosphate solubilization capacity.
• Pantoea formicae C8D10 and Pantoea trifolii C2B11 strains have potential for use as biostimulants to support phosphorus management in ornamental greenhouse production.

Statistics:

• 1044 bacterial isolates were screened for phosphate solubilization capacity.
• 35 isolates showed significant reduction in media pH.
• 14 PSB were selected for whole-genome sequencing.
• 8 Enterobacter, 5 Pantoea, and 1 Raoultella strains exhibited phosphate solubilization capacity.
• 87.5% (8/9) of tested strains showed increased shoot digital biomass and bloom area.

Sources:

• Phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from greenhouse ornamentals improve health and promote growth in French marigold 'Durango Yellow' grown in soilless substrate under phosphate limiting conditions. BMC Plant Biology, 2025,25(1):1-19. (BMC Plant Biology - http://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com)
• NewsRx. Ohio State University Researchers Report on Findings in Pantoea (Phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from greenhouse ornamentals improve health and promote growth in French marigold 'Durango Yellow' grown in soilless substrate under ...). Life Science Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 3786.