Abstract

                                Silicate and phosphate solubilizing bacteria were enumerated from soils, tank sediments, water, agroinputs like super and rock phosphates and commodities of anthropogenic activities. Silicate solubilizers were lesser than the phosphate solubilizing bacteria in these materials. Three out of 17 promising isolates were authenticated by Gram and Spore staining and biochemical characteristics. All of them were Bacillus spp. The isolate of Bacillus sp. from granite crusher yard exhibited marked silicate solubilization under in vitro both in medium and in liquid culture. The presence of silicate solubilizing bacteria in rice ecosystem might contribute to the silicate requirement of rice.

Key words : Silicate solubilizing bacteria, distribution, rice