PROFILING THE PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA AND NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA IN THE RHIZOSPHERE OF Talinum fruticosum

Abstract
This study aimed to profile the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria inhabiting the rhizosphere of Talinum fruticosum, a common vegetable crop in many tropical and subtropical regions. Rhizospheric microorganisms play crucial roles in plant growth promotion and soil fertility maintenance. In this research, soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of Talinum fruticosum plants grown in agricultural fields at Ekosodin community, Benin City. Isolation and characterization of phosphatesolubilizing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria were carried out using selective media and biochemical tests. A total of 16 bacterial isolates were recovered from the soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of Talinum fruticosum, and these isolates were screened for their phosphate solubilizing and nitrogen fixing abilities. Out of the sixteen (16) isolates, ten (10) were found to be positive for phosphate solubilization, twelve (12)
isolates showed positive for nitrogen fixation. These isolates were identified as belonging to the genera Bacillus, Serratia, Enterobacter, and Alcaligenes and the relative abundance
of the bacterial isolates obtained ranged from 6.25-62.50 %. This study suggests that the rhizosphere of Talinum fruticosum is a rich source of plant growth promoting bacteria in which when harnessed properly may lead to sustainable agricultural strategies for
improving crop yield.