Solubilization of potassium containing mineral by bacteria from Kashmir iris (Iris kashmiriana) rhizosphere

Potassium is absolutely essential component of plant nutrition package limiting crop yield and Quality that performs a multitude of important biological functions to maintain plant growth. Indiscreet application of chemical fertilizers have considerably negative impact on environmental sustainability.There is a growing need to turn back to nature or sustainable agents that promote evergreen agriculture. Among such natural bio-agents, the KSB which solubilize fixed forms of K by various mechanisms including acidolysis, exchange reactions, complexolysis and production of organic acids and make K available to plants. In this study bacterial isolates were obtained on modified Aleksandrov medium containing mica powder as potassium source. From the 20 bacterial isolates, isolated from rhizospheric region of Kashmir iris (Iris kashmiriana), 7 bacterial strains (KS4, KS7, KS8, KS14, KS17, KS19 and KS20) were selected which exhibiting highest potassium solubilization on solid medium and Characterized on the basis of cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics.