Effect of phytase from Aspergillus niger on plant growth and mineral assimilation in wheat (Triticum aestivum Linn.) and its potential for use as a soil amendment.
BACKGROUND
Extensive use of non-replenishable phosphate reserves as phosphate supplements in agriculture and animal feed poses a threat for environmental pollution and necessitated a search for alternative phosphate sources. Unlocking the phytate phosphorus using microbial phytase can provide an ecofriendly solution in agriculture. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of phytase from Aspergillus niger NCIM 563 in degradation of phytate phosphorus to benefit plant nutrition and soil amendment in comparison with chemical fertilizers.


RESULTS
An enzyme dose of 12 IU was sufficient to hydrolyze phytate and increase assimilation of phosphorus by about 74%. Phytase supplementation leads to increase in shoot:total length ratio by about 200%, indicating its growth-promoting effect. Consistency in phytase-induced growth was reflected at pot and tray levels, wherein shoot:total length ratio was observed to be 2.01 and 2.12 respectively. Mineral assimilation due to phytase was more efficient as compared to chemical fertilizers, thus overcoming the constraints of practicability and economics in the agriculture industry. Phytase was efficient in reducing the phytic acid content of soil by about 30% while simultaneously increasing the phytate phosphate availability by 1.18-fold.


CONCLUSIONS
Phytase from A. niger showed improvement in phytate phosphorus and mineral availability. Besides a plant growth-promoting effect, reduction in use of chemical fertilizers and soil improvement could be achieved simultaneously for maintaining the sustainability of agriculture.
NCIM Resource Center, Division of Biochemical Sciences, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, India.
Pradnya D
PD
Gujar
Kavita P
KP
Bhavsar
Jayant M
JM
Khire
D010832:6-Phytase / Q000378:metabolism*; D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000201:enzymology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007194:India; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D058871:Organic Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D014908:Triticum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D005308:Fertilizers; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D010710:Phosphates; D012987:Soil; D010758:Phosphorus; D008345:Manganese; D010833:Phytic Acid; D007501:Iron; D010832:6-Phytase; D002118:Calcium