The application of phosphate solubilizing endophyte Pantoea dispersa triggers the microbial community in red acidic soil

• Endophyte P. dispersa showed effective inorganic P solubilization within 5 days.
• P. dispersa produce salicylic acid and benzeneacetic acid etc. to dissolve insoluble P.
• Microbial P solubilization activated soil microbial community up to 25 days.

To confirm whether endophytes are members that play important roles in phosphorus (P) solubilization in red acidic soil, five endophytes that have the potential to dissolve insoluble P were isolated from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root. Based on the maximum amount of soluble P in Ca3(PO4)2, AlPO4, and FePO4 liquid NBRIP, the strain Pantoea dispersa was selected to investigate the ability to solubilize phosphate over time. Our results showed that the solubilizing process of P. dispersa was accompanied by acid production. Beside succinate, oxalic acid, and citric acid, two special organic acids, salicylic acid, and benzeneacetic acid were found during microbial P solubilization. Based on PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) analysis, soil application of P. dispersa triggered natural soil microbial activity. This phenomenon could be maintained up to 25 days, suggesting that the endophyte P. dispersa would be a suitable candidate for optimizing agro-microecological systems via soluble P release in red acidic soil.