Enhancing Phosphate Uptake and Antifungal Activity in Tomato Plants via Bacillus licheniformis Mutagenesis: Evaluating Growth Parameters

The objective of the investigation was to improve phosphate solubilization in tomato plants by Bacillus licheniformis, a rhizobacterium that promotes plant growth. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and Ethidium bromide (EtBr) mutagenesis produced twenty-one mutants. Phosphate solubilization was higher in the PM7 (physical mutant) (121.00 g mL⁻¹) than in the wild type (82.00 g mL⁻¹). PM7 showed high antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium oxysporum and Dematophora necatrix besides increased siderophore production and HCN production. In a net-house experiment, PM7 improved root and shoot parameters, P assimilation and soil P availability in tomato plants. This study demonstrates the potential of PM7 as an effective rhizobacterium for enhancing nutrient availability and plant growth.