Isolation and molecular characterization of potassium-solubilizing bacteria from limestone mountain of Bahorok, Langkat District, Indonesia

Abstract. Bangun IH, Hanum H, Sabrina T. 2023. Isolation and molecular characterization of potassium-solubilizing bacteria from limestone mountain Bahorok, Langkat District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 4175-4184. In agricultural practices, ensuring an adequate supply potassium to plants is crucial for optimal growth productivity. However, the exchangeable K tightly bound soil minerals such as mica, feldspar, clay minerals, making it unavailable plant uptake. K-solubilizing can dissolve mineral layer be available plants. The Previous study has found 11 bacterial isolates capable solubilizing in Aleksandrov solid media. This aimed select best perform identification these bacteria. A novel finding this that specific KSBs enhance levels through various mechanisms, evidenced by increased Ca, Mg, pH. Additionally, research identified two newly discovered species solubilization: Paraburkholderia phymatum Burkholderia paludis. Furthermore, suggests existence unknown mechanism solubilization, indicated observed increase pH during process.