TY - JOUR

T1 - Phosphate-solubilising microorganisms for improved crop productivity

T2 - a critical assessment

AU - Raymond, Nelly S.

AU - Gomez-Munoz, Beatriz

AU - van der Bom, Frederik J. T.

AU - Nybroe, Ole

AU - Jensen, Lars S.

AU - Mueller-Stover, Dorette S.

AU - Oberson, Astrid

AU - Richardson, Alan E.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Phosphate-solubilising microorganisms (PSM) are often reported to have positive effects on crop productivity through enhanced phosphorus (P) nutrition. Our aim was to evaluate the validity of this concept. Most studies that report 'positive effects' of PSM on plant growth have been conducted under controlled conditions, whereas field experiments more frequently fail to demonstrate a positive response. Many studies have indicated that the mechanisms seenin vitrodo not translate into improved crop P nutrition in complex soil-plant systems. Furthermore, associated mechanisms are often not rigorously assessed. We suggest that PSM do not mobilise sufficient P to change the crops' nutritional environment under field conditions. The current concept, in which PSM solubilise P 'for the plant' should thus be revised. Although PSM have the capacity to solubilise P to meet their own needs, it is the turnover of the microbial biomass that subsequently provides P to plants over a longer time. Therefore, the existing concept of PSM function is unlikely to deliver a reliable strategy for increasing crop P nutrition. A further mechanistic understanding is needed to determine how P mobilisation by PSM as a component of the whole soil community can be manipulated to become more effective for plant P nutrition.

AB - Phosphate-solubilising microorganisms (PSM) are often reported to have positive effects on crop productivity through enhanced phosphorus (P) nutrition. Our aim was to evaluate the validity of this concept. Most studies that report 'positive effects' of PSM on plant growth have been conducted under controlled conditions, whereas field experiments more frequently fail to demonstrate a positive response. Many studies have indicated that the mechanisms seenin vitrodo not translate into improved crop P nutrition in complex soil-plant systems. Furthermore, associated mechanisms are often not rigorously assessed. We suggest that PSM do not mobilise sufficient P to change the crops' nutritional environment under field conditions. The current concept, in which PSM solubilise P 'for the plant' should thus be revised. Although PSM have the capacity to solubilise P to meet their own needs, it is the turnover of the microbial biomass that subsequently provides P to plants over a longer time. Therefore, the existing concept of PSM function is unlikely to deliver a reliable strategy for increasing crop P nutrition. A further mechanistic understanding is needed to determine how P mobilisation by PSM as a component of the whole soil community can be manipulated to become more effective for plant P nutrition.

KW - agriculture

KW - microbial biomass

KW - microorganisms

KW - phosphorus

KW - plant nutrition

KW - solubilisation

KW - PSEUDOMONAS PROTEGENS CHA0

KW - PLANT-GROWTH

KW - SOIL-MICROORGANISMS

KW - PENICILLIUM-BILAII

KW - MICROBIAL BIOMASS

KW - SEWAGE-SLUDGE

KW - PHOSPHORUS MINERALIZATION

KW - ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS

KW - ROCK PHOSPHATE

KW - MAIZE GROWTH

U2 - 10.1111/nph.16924

DO - 10.1111/nph.16924

M3 - Review

C2 - 32929739

VL - 229

SP - 1268

EP - 1277

JO - New Phytologist

JF - New Phytologist

SN - 0028-646X

IS - 3

ER -