SOLUBILIZATION OF POTASSIUM BY KLEBSIELLA QUASIPNEUMONIAE FROM TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.

Plants need potassium (K) for their growth and development because K is the third major and vital nutrient; however, its presence in the soil is 98% insoluble and only 2% soluble.From 10 bacterial isolates, only one bacterial isolate was selected which exhibited the highest K-solubilization on Aleksandrow agar medium and was characterized based on morphology, biochemically and identified as Klebsiella quasipneumoniae by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.The contribution of microbes in the solubilization of K by bounded minerals and providing soluble or available forms of K for plant uptake is opening a new way of improving soil fertility and quality crop productivity.