Incidence and diversity of phosphate-solubilising bacteria are linked to phosphorus status in grassland soils

► Ecology of P-solubilising bacteria (PBS) was studied in 3 long-term field sites. ► Soil P status affected frequency of occurrence of P-solubilisation trait. ► Thirty nine genera of P-solubilising bacteria were identified. ► The taxonomic composition of PSB varied with soil P status at 2 sites. ► Changes in PSB were in the Actinobacteria, Pseudomonadaceae and Moraxellaceae taxa.