Enhancing Fruit Crop Performance: The Role of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria in Growth, Yield and Quality Improvement

Abstract

Phosphorus is a crucial macronutrient in plant development, playing a vital role in metabolic activities and growth. Due to its poor availability in soil, phosphorus (P) is essential for healthy plant growth, particularly in tropical regions. P is present in nucleic acids, catalysts, coenzymes, nucleotides, and phospholipids. Optimal phosphorus availability is essential for plant reproductive structure formation during early development. Soil phosphorus content is around 0.05%, but due to insoluble phosphates, soluble forms are not readily available for plants. Chemical P fertilizers are used to increase available P levels, but these are costly and have negative environmental impacts. The limited P-source and high-quality rock P deposits may be exhausted within the next century, leading to the search for environmentally friendly alternatives. Biofertilizers with P-solubilizing properties are an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical-based Phosphorus fertilizers. PSB, beneficial microorganisms, hydrolyse insoluble phosphorus compounds into soluble P, facilitating plant uptake. This eco-friendly and economically sound approach overcomes P scarcity. Throughout the review, these PSBs are discussed in terms of how they have been applied and used to improve fruit crop growth, yield, and quality, providing promising evidence that these PSBs can be used as a viable alternative to inorganic phosphate fertilizers in the future for sustainable agriculture.