Phosphate solubilizing bacteria around Indian peninsula

The occurrence and physiological characteristics of marine phosphate solubi lizing bacteria (PSB) around the Indian peninsula were studied. A higher pe rcentage of phosphate solubilizing bacteria was seen in the islands and coa stal areas as compared to the offshore and sandy beaches. Most of the PSB b elonged to Bacillus spp. Additions of nutrients (glucose, yeast extract) en hanced their growth rate and phosphatase activity of the bacteria. Variatio ns in temperature had a negligible effect on enzyme activity. Their ability to survive on carriers up to 60 days indicates that they could be effectiv e seed organisms for field applications. These bacteria were found to be hi ghly adaptive and therefore, can significantly contribute to the phosphate economy of the marine environment.