Isolation and Characterization of Silicate-Solubilizing Bacteria from Semiarid Soils

In the present study the isolation and characterization of silicate-solubilizing bacteria (SSB) from semiarid soils were carried out. The soil samples were collected from the drought-affected lands in the Jat and Atpadi region, Miraj East, Sangli, Maharashtra. A total of nine bacterial isolates that were screened and examined for morphological and biochemical characteristics had notable silicate solubilization capability. Two of nine isolates, namely, isolate PSSB7 & PSSG11 showed the maximum silicate solubilization index on Bunt Rovira agar supplemented with 0.25% magnesium trisilicate. Further field trials and microbial consortia formulation as bio-inoculants are needed to optimize their agricultural applicability, which may help to improve soil health in drought agricultural environments by enhancing soil fertility and plant health.