Effect of a phosphate solubilizing bacteria on maize growth and root exudation over four levels of labile phosphorus

The influence of inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Enterobacter agglomerans) on maize growth, P uptake and root exudation was studied. Plants were grown in an axenic culture device where P was supplied as soluble phosphate at different contents (0, 5, 15 or 25 ppm) in the nutrient solution and as insoluble rock phosphate added to the culture sand. Experimental device was successfully used to obtain axenic root systems or good establishment of the inoculated strain in the rhizosphere of maize (10⁹ bact. g⁻¹ dry rhizospheric material). Plant growth was promoted by inoculation only for 5 or 15 ppm of soluble P in the nutrient medium without any significant effect on P uptake by the plant, suggesting that the quantities of P released by bacterial rhizospheric activity were very small. Amounts of organic compounds (total C and water-soluble C) exuded were relatively low (3.0 to 6.4% of the total plant biomass) and were reduced by bacterial inoculation when plant growth was largely promoted. Carbon balance modification and plant growth hormone production by the inoculated strain were suspected and discussed.