Silicate solubilizing bacteria (SSB)

  • Few rhizosphere bacterial isolates were isolated with the capability to solubilize silicates.
  • The organic acid production and polysaccharide production are supposed to create conditions favourable for silica solubilization.
  • The plant could absorb mono-silicic acid and this could arise in soil solution only when depolymerization occurs in soil silicates.
  • Method of application:The roots of rice seedlings are thoroughly washed with tap water, surface-sterilized in 2% NaOCl for 15 minutes, and finally rinsed with sterile distilled H2O and are inoculated by soaking them overnight in different bacterial inocula maintained at 108cfumL-1.
  • Silicate solubilizing bacteria can also be applied with siliceous rice residues like straw, husk, and husk ash leading to a rapid breakdown of these residues in the soil.