What is the Difference Between Phosphate Solubilizing and Phosphate Mobilizing?

Phosphate solubilizing and phosphate mobilizing are two processes involving microorganisms that help make phosphorus more available for plants in the soil. The main difference between these two processes lies in the type of phosphorus they work on and the specific mechanisms involved:

Phosphate Solubilizing:

• Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) are beneficial bacteria that can solubilize inorganic phosphorus from insoluble compounds.
• They play a critical role in the soil P cycle by mineralizing organic P, solubilizing inorganic P minerals, and storing large amounts of P in biomass.
• PSMs release metabolites that can chelate the cations bound to phosphate, converting it into soluble forms.

Phosphate Mobilizing:

• Phosphate mobilizing microorganisms are those that can transform insoluble organic or inorganic phosphates into insoluble orthophosphate.
• These microorganisms participate in the mobilization of phosphorus in the soil, making it more available for plant uptake.

Both phosphate solubilizing and phosphate mobilizing microorganisms work together in the soil to increase the availability of phosphorus for plants. These microbes help improve soil fertility and promote plant growth, making them essential components of healthy and productive agricultural systems.

Comparative Table: Phosphate Solubilizing vs Phosphate Mobilizing

Phosphate solubilizing and phosphate mobilizing microorganisms are both involved in the transformation processes of soil phosphorus, but they have different mechanisms for making phosphorus available to plants. Here is a table outlining the differences between the two:

In summary, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms convert insoluble inorganic phosphates into soluble forms, while phosphate mobilizing microorganisms mobilize phosphorus by changing pH and producing chelating compounds. Both types of microorganisms are beneficial for plant growth and nutrient uptake, but they use different mechanisms to make phosphorus more available to plants.