Penicillium Bilaiae and Its Effect On Phosphorus Uptake On Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum).

Phosphorus is often the second most limiting nutrient in crop production next to nitrogen.  Phosphorus management has attracted much attention as both fertilizer costs and yield potential increase.  Penicillium bilaiae is a naturally occurring soil fungus that increases plant available phosphorus (P) through the release of organic acids that solubilize phosphorus containing compounds in the soil (Kucey 1987).  Many experiments both in the greenhouse, growth chamber, and in the field have proven the increase in P uptake when either the seed or soil is inoculated with P. bilaiae (Chambers et. al. 1990, Kucey et. al. 1989).  A similar field experiment on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) in 2013 was conducted over four locations with two in North Central North Dakota, one in North Western Minnesota, and one in South Central Minnesota.  The fields were all tested in blocks in the early spring to measure the amount of P potentially available and were then fertilized to set amounts of 0 kg/ha, 10 kg/ha, 20 kg/ha, and 40, kg/ha.  Treatments containing P. bilaiae and an untreated check were then randomized in each block. This was done to try and standardize the amount of P containing fertilizer for a more direct comparison across different soil types.  Beginning at emergence leaf tissue samples were collected at two week intervals for eight weeks and analysed for P content.  Across all locations there was an increase in the leaf tissue P content showing that P. bilaiae is effective as a P management tool across various soil types.