How Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria in BioPhos+ Can Improve Plant Growth and Health
Healthy and robust plant growth is crucial for farmers, orchardists, and agribusinesses. CoastBio’s BioPhos+ fertilizer offers an innovative solution with its unique blend of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB). These natural helpers boost plant growth.
Whether managing an orchard or running a large agricultural operation, BioPhos+ can help your plants thrive while allowing you to rely less on chemical fertilizers for plant growth.
Benefits of Inoculating Soil with Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria
entirely; however, it is possible to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers used by combining them with a biofertilizer, such as BioPhos+. Researchers have found that combining chemical fertilizers with PSB can reduce the amount of chemical fertilizer needed by 25 – 50% without negatively affecting crop yields.
Here are some of the benefits of inoculating soil with PSB.
Reduce phosphorus runoff
As much as 80% of phosphorus from chemical fertilizers is wasted, ending up as runoff in nearby waterways. The combination of mineral loss and environmental fallout costs farmers, factory owners, fishermen, and others an average of $265 billion annually.
Increase plant growth
PSB transforms the organic phosphorus already in the soil but inaccessible to plants into a bioavailable form that helps plants solubilize it for growth. This increases the amount of organic phosphate plants use to grow without contributing to phosphate waste.
Natural pest control
Plant-beneficial bacteria and fungi live as free organisms in the soil, helping trigger plant growth and protect plants from diseases and abiotic factors (i.e., the nonliving parts of an ecosystem that can shape its environment, such as sunlight, water supply, and temperature).
Long-term solution
Over time, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and fungi will inoculate into the soil, making this a cost-effective option for farmers, orchardists, and agri-businesses seeking a long-term, sustainable fertilizer solution.
What Makes BioPhos+ So Unique
Organic fertilizer isn’t new to the market; farmers have used natural fertilizers for thousands of years. However, modern innovations should allow us to improve upon traditional methods. That’s where BioPhos+ excels.
BioPhos+ harnesses the power of different bacteria to supercharge plant growth. The predominant plant growth-promoting bacteria that have been discovered are Pseudomonas and Bacillus species. In BioPhos+, these bacteria are aided by the fungus Penicillium bilaiae.
Here’s how the unique combination of 1.1 billion cfu/g (498 billion cfu/lb) total Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus polymyxa, Pseudomonas putida, and Paenicillium bilaiae in BioPhos+ protects your plants and provides a more sustainable fertilizer solution.
Bacillus
Applying Bacillus-based fertilizers to soil can boost the amount of available nutrients in rhizospheres, which can help plants grow. Additionally, they have been found to help control disease-causing pathogens and other pests by converting the complex form of essential nutrients into a simpler form that plant roots use during uptake.
In particular, researchers have found that Bacillus megaterium genome strains have genetic features associated with plant growth-promoting traits, such as increasing plant biomass and improving the seedlings’ root system architecture through volatile compound emissions and physical contact with the roots.
Another Bacillus strain, Paenibacillus polymyxa, has been shown to have antibacterial properties, making it an ideal candidate for protection against plant pathogens. This bacteria also has plant-growth-promoting hormones to encourage organic plant growth without chemical agents.
Pseudomonas Putida
Some bacterial strains of Pseudomonas putida possess an impressive combination of plant-benefitting traits, including nutrient solubilization, the ability to adapt to different stress environments, and exceptional root colonization ability. They have also been shown to kill various bacteria living in soil and plants, protecting tomatoes and other plants from harmful bacteria strains that could hinder normal plant growth.
Interestingly, researchers have found that inoculating plants with Pseudomonas putida alone did not improve yields, suggesting that this strain works best when combined with other types of PGP bacteria or even with different doses of chemical fertilizers.
Paenicillium Bilaiae
Paenicillium bilaiae (P. bilaiae) is a species of native soil fungus. It has been found to be a strong plant growth-promoting fungal strain by increasing phosphorus uptake levels in soil. Researchers have found significant plant growth after inoculating plant seeds with P. bilaiae, thanks to its ability to increase the capacity of plant roots to absorb nutrients from the soil.
- bilaiae has also been found to produce oxalic and citric acid as its primary metabolites. This can enhance phosphorus availability to plants by releasing organic acids to acidify specific areas of the rhizosphere. The fungus can also increase biomass production, phosphorus uptake, and yield in several plants, including wheat, peas, beans, lentils, and canola.
How to Use BioPhos+
Here’s a quick guide to using BioPhos+.
Crops
The unique combination of bacteria and fungi in BioPhos+ benefits several crops, including:
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Wheat
- Shrubs
- Flowers
- Vines
- Fruit trees
- Nut trees
Climate and Soil
BioPhos+ can be used in any climate that is beneficial to growing crops. However, some research suggests that phosphorus solubilizes faster in warm and humid climates and slower in cool and dry climates.
Regardless of climate, well-aerated soil is better equipped for rapid phosphorus solubilization than saturated and wet soil. Soil with a lot of organic matter tends to favor microbial growth, making it ideal for phosphorus solubilization. The best soil pH values for phosphorus availability are between 6 and 7.5. Soil pH values below 5.5 and between 7.5 and 8.5 limit phosphorus from becoming available for plant use by limiting its availability to become fixed by aluminum, iron, or calcium.
Application rates
Apply BioPhos+ as a seedbox treatment, root drench solution, soil/fertilizer mix input, or as soil drench for established plants. This bio-fertilizer is suitable for fertigation and for most irrigation systems. Mix the concentrated product with water, combining thoroughly before application according to these instructions:
Dilution rate: ½ to 1 tsp per gallon, depending on the application.
General: ½ to 2 pounds per acre, depending on soil quality and crop type
Seed treatment: Apply ¼ pound per 100 pounds of seed.
Soil application: Apply ½ to 2 pounds per acre as a drench every 4–8 weeks during growing season.
Field/bed/row preparation: Apply ¼ to ½ pounds to soil during tilling before planting or anytime during the growing season.
Seed/sod application: Apply 1-2 ounces per 2500 square feet, then seed or lay sod.
Gardens and flower beds soil prep: Apply ½ to 1 ounce per 100 square feet. Double this rate in very poor soil.
Potting mix: Mix into potting soil at a rate of 1 pound per cubic yard.
Fertilizer mix: Add 5 pounds per ton.
Top dressing: Apply 1-2 ounces per 2500 square feet or 1-2 grams per 10 gallons of reservoir.
Field application: Apply 2 pounds per acre
Additional notes
Store BioPhos+ in cool, dry conditions. Don’t expose the inoculants to direct sunlight for extended periods. Always wear a dust mask when handling BioPhos+ (or any fertilizer blend).
Start Using Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria with CoastBio
There is an urgent environmental need to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers used in agriculture. Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria have been shown to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers in typical growing environments. While eliminating chemicals completely may not be feasible, minimizing their use while growing crops is possible.
The specific bacteria and fungi that make up BioPhos+ from CoastBio work together to solubilize phosphate, which can increase plant growth without contributing to environmental waste and hazards. When paired with other sustainable practices, BioPhos+ can provide long-term financial and ecological benefits. Contact us to learn more.
References:
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Alori, E. T., Glick, B. R., & Babalola, O. O. (2017). Microbial phosphorus solubilization and its potential for use in sustainable agriculture. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00971
Brownlie, W. J., Sutton, M. A., Heal, K. V., Reay, D. S., & Spears, B. M. (2022). Our Phosphorous Future. UK Center for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.17834.08645
Costa-Gutierrez, S. B., Adler, C., Espinosa-Urgel, M., & de Cristóbal, R. E. (2022). Pseudomonas putida and its close relatives: Mixing and mastering the perfect tune for plants. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 106(9–10), 3351–3367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-022-11881-7
Cunningham, J. E., & Kuiack, C. (1992). Production of citric and oxalic acids and solubilization of calcium phosphate by Penicillium bilaii. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 58(5), 1451–1458. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.58.5.1451-1458.1992
García-Fraile, P., Menéndez, E., Rivas, R., García-Fraile, P., Menéndez, E., & Rivas, R. (2015). Role of bacterial biofertilizers in agriculture and forestry. AIMS Bioengineering, 2(3), 183–205. https://doi.org/10.3934/bioeng.2015.3.183
Purtschert-Montenegro, G., Cárcamo-Oyarce, G., Pinto-Carbó, M., Agnoli, K., Bailly, A., & Eberl, L. (2022). Pseudomonas putida mediates bacterial killing, biofilm invasion and biocontrol with a type IVB secretion system. Nature Microbiology, 7(10), 1547–1557. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-022-01209-6
Radhakrishnan, R., Hashem, A., & Abd_Allah, E. F. (2017). Bacillus: A biological tool for crop improvement through bio-molecular changes in adverse environments. Frontiers in Physiology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00667
Sánchez-Esteva, S., Gómez-Muñoz, B., Jensen, L. S., de Neergaard, A., & Magid, J. (2016). The effect of Penicillium bilaii on wheat growth and phosphorus uptake as affected by soil pH, soil P and application of sewage sludge. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 3(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-016-0075-3
Verma, D. K., Niamah, A. K., Patel, A. R., Thakur, M., Singh Sandhu, K., Chávez-González, M. L., Shah, N., & Noe Aguilar, C. (2020). Chemistry and microbial sources of curdlan with potential application and safety regulations as prebiotic in food and health. Food Research International, 133, 109136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109136
Wakelin, S. A., Gupta, V. V. S. R., Harvey, P. R., & Ryder, M. H. (2007). The effect of Penicillium fungi on plant growth and phosphorus mobilization in neutral to alkaline soils from southern Australia. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 53(1), 106–115. https://doi.org/10.1139/w06-109
See more information on our blog article “Environmental Impact of Chemical Fertilizers vs. Biofertilizers”
Learn more about the science behind how these powerful bacteria and fungi work together in our latest white paper. https://coastbio.com/white-papers/