Abstract
The efficiency of different Bacillus isolates on rhizosphere soil enzyme activities and P-nutrition of soybean was carried out under microcosm conditions. Significant increase in enzyme activities viz., fluorescein diacetate activity, phosphatase and phytase activity and consequent effects on P-nutrition were observed with the inoculation of Bacillus isolates over uninoculated control. Among the isolates, BD-3-1B, KHBD-6, BDKH-3, Bacillus amyloliquefacians, and Bacillus cereus were found to be promising. The phytic acid-P as a percentage of total P content in soybean seeds decreased with the inoculation of Bacillus isolates as compared to un-inoculated control. A decrease in phytic-P in soybean seeds not only results in better digestibility and increased feed efficiency. Pearson correlation studies revealed a significant positive association between acid, alkaline phosphatases, phytase activity on available P content in soil and P content in seeds with the inoculation of Bacillus isolates, indicating role of these enzymes in P mobilization and acquisition by soybean.