Phytate mineralising bacteria increase in the rhizosphere of nodulated common bean ([i]Phaseolus vulgaris[/i]) under P deficiency

To characterize the functional microbial community involved in the mineralization of phytate in the rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris, putative phytate hydrolysing bacteria were isolated from nodulated roots of Phaseolus vulgaris cultivated in two contrasted soil in terms of P availability. Their ability of these rhizosphere isolates to degrade phytate was confirmed enzymatically. Our work demonstrates that phytate-mineralizing bacteria represent a tiny but significant part (1%) of the rhizospheric population of Phaseolus vulgaris and this community is stimulated in P-deficient soil