Priyadarshani, G.V.G.Chandrasena, G.Keerthipala, A.P.2021-02-082021-02-0820122235-9877http://www.erepo.lib.uwu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/123456789/5831/161-2012-Isolation%20of%20Phosphate%20Solubilizing%20Bacteria%20for%20Production%20of%20Biofertilizer.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=yPhosphorus is one of the essential nutrients for plant growth. It is classified as a major nutrient, meaning that it is frequently deficient for crop production and is required by crops in relatively large amounts for optimum growth and reproduction (Gyaneshwar, et al., 2002;). A greater part of soil phosphorus, approximately 95-99%, is present in the form of insoluble phosphates, due to its fixation with Fe and Al especially in acidic and aerobic soil conditions (Vassileva, et al., 1998). To increase the availability of phosphorus to plants, large amounts of fertilizer are used regularly. But after application, a large proportion of fertilizer phosphorus is quickly transformed into insoluble form. Therefore, very little percentage of the applied phosphorus is used, making continuous application necessary (AbdAlla, 1994). The principle mechanism for mineral phosphate solubilization is the production of organic acids (FNCA, 2006). There are some species of bacteria which have the potential to solubilize organic and inorganic phosphorous in soil. Strains from the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Rhizobiutn are among the most powerful phosphate solubilizers (Qurbanet al., 2012). Application of Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria into the field has been reported to increase crop yield (Toro et al., 1994). The aim of this study was isolation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria available in natural environments for the production of biofertilizer and investigating the possibility of utilizing sugar industry distillery spent wash as a carrier medium for the biofertilizerenExport AgriculturePlant nutrition and soil fertility ManagmentAgricultureOther