Optimization of culture conditions for phosphorus solubilization of Talaromyces purpureogenus with effects of promoting the growth and improving the quality of red cluster pepper

Abstract:

Objective A Talaromyces purpureogenus strain with solubilizing effects on tricalcium phosphate and calcium phytate was screened from the rhizosphere soil of maize and named XZY3PSF. To promote the application of this strain in serving agricultural production, we optimized the culture conditions for phosphorus solubilization of this strain and studied the effects of this strain on the growth and quality of red cluster pepper.Methods We evaluated the solubilizing effects of strain XZY3PSF on Ca₃(PO₄)₂, FePO₄, AlPO₄, phosphate rock powder, soybean lecithin, and egg yolk by measuring the available phosphorus content in the solution after liquid shaking culture. The effects of carbon source, nitrogen source, pH, and liquid loading volume on the phosphorus solubilization of this strain were studied. Pot experiments were carried out in a greenhouse to evaluate the effects of this strain on the growth and fruit quality of red cluster pepper.Results The carbon sources used by the strain were in an order of fructose>glucose>maltose>sucrose, and the nitrogen sources followed an order of ammonium chloride>ammonium nitrate>ammonium sulfate>potassium nitrate>urea. The phosphorus-solubilizing ability of the strain was higher under the condition of initial pH 6.0-7.0, and it was not affected by the liquid loading volume. The strain achieved higher phosphorus solubilization with tricalcium phosphate and phosphate rock powder as the phosphorus sources. With tricalcium phosphate as the phosphorus source, the strain showed the highest phosphorus solubilization on days 5, which was higher than that with other phosphorus sources (P<0.01). With phosphate rock powder as the phosphorus source, the strain showed the highest phosphorus solubilization on days 21 (P<0.01). Compared with the application of compound fertilizer, the inoculation of this strain increased the plant height, yield, vitamin C content, and total capsaicinoid content of red cluster pepper (P<0.05). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the phosphorus solubilization of strain XZY3PSF in the culture medium with different nitrogen or carbon sources was negatively correlated with pH and the dry weight of mycelia. The capsaicinoid content was positively correlated with vitamin C and sugar content of pepper fruits.Conclusion Strain XZY3PSF has a strong ability to solubilize phosphorus, especially aluminum phosphate and iron phosphate, while improving the main nutritional indicators of crops. It is hypothesized that the strain will have a strong ability to solubilize phosphorus in the laterite soil in southern China. These findings lay a foundation for subsequent application of this strain in the fieled.