Multifaceted mechanisms and roles of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms in enhancing phosphorus availability for sustainable agriculture

Abstract Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient for plant growth, yet its availability in soils is often limited due to its predominance in insoluble forms, with less than 1% accessible for plant uptake. This review explores the role of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) in enhancing phosphorus availability, especially in phosphate-deficient soils of cereals, pulses and horticulture crops in agricultural systems. PSMs include specific strain of bacteria and fungi that facilitates the transformation of insoluble phosphorus into forms that are readily absorbable by plants, thereby improving crops and promoting sustainable agricultural production. Different mechanisms employed by PSMs, such as the secretion of organic acids, which lower soil pH, and enzymes that aid in mineralization processes, function of genes involved during solubilization, thereby increasing their bioavailability and their interactions with plant roots that enhance nutrient uptake by contributing to biological nitrogen fixation and overall soil health and fertility. Furthermore, it addresses the global challenge of phosphorus deficiency and emphasizes the necessity for effective management strategies that incorporate PSMs to ensure food security amid rising agricultural demands. PSMs represent a promising strategy for future agricultural resilience, as more than 40% of the world’s cultivated land suffers from insufficient phosphorus utilization of PSMs offer a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizer, which leads to environmental degradation through runoff and soil erosion. Graphical abstract