Assessing the Zinc solubilization ability of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus in maize rhizosphere using labelled (65)Zn compounds.

Solubilization of insoluble zinc compounds like ZnCO(3) and ZnO by G. diazotrophicus was confirmed using radiotracers. The zinc compounds (ZnCO(3) and ZnO) were tagged with (65)Zn. (65)ZnCO(3) and (65)ZnO was effectively solubilized and the uptake of zn by the plants also more in G. diazotrophicus inoculated treatments compared to the uninoculated treatments. Three types of soils (Zn deficientsterile, Zn deficient-unsterile, and Zn sufficient-sterile) were used in experiment. Among the three soils, Zn deficient-unsterile soil registered maximum zinc solubilization compared to other two soils. This may be due to other soil microorganisms in unsterile soil. Application of ZnO with G. diazotrophicus showed better uptake of the nutrient.