Microbes are known as an important natural phosphate solubilizing agent in rhizospheric soil. Therefore, the phosphate solubilization potential of two selected fungi, viz., Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium oxysporum isolated from rhizospheres of Acer oblongum and Cupressus torulosa, respectively were screened for the present study. Phosphate solubilization potential of selected fungi was observed by solubilization index (SI) using Pikovskaya’s (PKV) agar medium. Both isolated fungi were found positive for phosphate solubilization. A. fumigatus was found comparatively more potent to F. oxysporum for the phosphate solubilization. A higher solubilization index (SI-2.2) was recorded for the former fungus while for latter fungus SI was recorded up to 1.3 only. The use of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms as a phosphate bio fertilizer under varied ecosystems may be beneficial to improve the soil fertility and crop production.

Keywords: Rhizospheric fungi, phosphate solubilization, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium oxysporum.