Isolation of Six Phosphate Dissolving Rhizosphere Bacteria （Bacillus subtilis） and Their Effects on the Growth, Phosphorus Nutrition and Yield of Maize （Zea mays L.） in Mali

The disadvantages of the long term application of Tilemsi natural phosphate （TNP） on maize （Zea mays L.） production has come out because of its low P availability. Some functional soil microbes, such as phosphate dissolving bacteria, have great potential in improvement of P solubility from TNP and P uptake by plants. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize typical phosphate dissolving bacterial strains （Bacillus subtilis） from Malian soils, and investigate their role in P uptake by maize grown in soils amended with TNP. The experimental design was a split plot with three main plots of fertilizers sources, i.e., natural phosphate, commercial fertilizer and without fertilizer, and with seven sub-plots of six microorganisms plus the control. The field experiment results have shown that the maize inoculated with the phosphate dissolving bacteria was improved in seed germination, plant growth, plant production （increase yield by 42%）, grain and aerial dry biomass （P） content of 34% and 64%, respectivel