Phosphate solubilization by a wild type strain and UV-induced mutants of Aspergillus tubingensis

Phenotypic mutants of Aspergillus tubingensis were obtained by UV irradiation and phosphate solubilization ability of these mutants were studied and compared with the wild type strain. Low phosphate solubilizing mutant was also selected in this study. Among the different mutants, AtM-5 and AtM-2 showed highest P solubilization when tri-calcium phosphate and rock phosphate were used as P source compared to the wild type strain and other mutants. These mutants also showed maximum acid phosphatase and phytase activity. These results suggest that P solubilization by these isolates is due to lowering of pH of the culture filtrate and also the activity of acid phosphatase and phytase.