Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Phosphate–Solubilizing Bacteria, and Silicon to P Uptake by Plant

1There is a growing need to improve food production to meet the requirements of the increasing world population. This may be done in either of two ways: increasing the area under cultivation or enhancing the yield per unit area. The former is not possible in many countries of the world due to a number of restrictions including the availability of water or soil resources, climate change, drought, and soil salinization. On the other hand, one of the ways to increase the yield per unit area is to improve the nutritional properties of the soil. As an essential plant nutrient, P is required for carbon metabolism, energy generation, energy transfer, enzyme activation, membrane formation, and nitrogen (N2) fixation. P also forms key biological molecules like ATP, nucleic acids, and phospholipids. P deficiency is a significant limiting factor for the growth and yield of crops that affects approximately 50% of all agricultural ecosystems around the world. To address this issue, there has been an enormous worldwide increase in the use of P fertilizers. The high agricultural P demand has put the sustainability of P mining for fertilizer production into question. P fertilizers often lead to the addition of a large excess of P in agricultural soils. Unfortunately, >80% of the P fertilizers applied to the soil is lost due to adsorption and fixation processes or it is transformed into organic forms, which represent 40–80% of total soil P, with phytates as the most common form. Therefore, the availability of this added P to plants is limited (about 0.1% of the total P).

2P is usually absorbed by the plant in a limited range of soil conditions, i.e., pH 6.5–7 as H2PO4– and HPO42–. When the soil pH exceeds 7.0, inorganic phosphate (Pi) is predominantly mineralized and immobilized as calcium phosphates. At lower soil pH levels, P is usually bound/adsorbed by soluble aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), or the associated hydrous oxides. At neutral pH, Pi adsorbs to weathered silicates such as clay minerals. Thus, the P concentration in soils with pH < 6.5 or pH > 7 is suboptimal, and is generally about 1–10 μM, which can result in crop yield depressions of 5–15%.

3The theoretical increase in plant growth efficiency from adding chemical P fertilizers has peaked so that additional chemical P fertilization cannot be expected to significantly increase plant yield. Twenty-two million tons of P (3–4% of the total P demand) are annually extracted from natural sources (i.e., non-renewable phosphate rocks), according to the US geological survey, which puts the natural P sources in risk of depletion. Therefore, a more efficient use of P is needed, including maximizing P acquisition and utilization efficiencies.

4Some plants can efficiently acquire and/or use P to maintain metabolism and growth. Some plant mechanisms for improving P acquisition efficiency include: (i) increased expression of high affinity P transporters; (ii) soil exploration at a minimal metabolic cost; (iii) topsoil foraging; (iv) stimulation of root hair growth; (v) redistribution of growth among root types; (vi) increase of the root-to-shoot ratio; (vii) the secretion of organic acids (e.g., citrate, malate, or oxalate) from roots to the soil; (viii) the activation of an advanced bio-molecular system; and (xi) enhanced acid phosphatase (rAPase) or phytase secretion.

5Plants have also developed some biotic interactions with diverse soil microorganisms that promote plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are the most common such microorganisms. AMF and PGPB, and especially the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria subgroup (PSB), are known to help overcome P deficiency in plants. PSB and AMF are a part of the key biogeochemical cycling processes.

6Phosphate–solubilizing bacteria exist in most soils. In in vitro conditions, they can improve P bioavailability by lowering the soil pH, solubilizing Pi, activating synthesized phosphatases, mineralizing organic P, and/or chelating P from Al3+, Ca2+, and Fe3+. Nearly all soils also contain AMF, which associate with approximately 80% of all plant roots. The ability of AMF to promote plant growth and yield and enhance P uptake has been well documented.

7As a consequence of variable soil conditions, microorganisms may change crop productivity. Climate change also has a substantial impact on the effectiveness of microorganisms. One way to increase the efficiency of microorganisms under adverse environmental conditions is the co–inoculation of microorganisms that stimulates plant growth through various mechanisms. AMF and PGPB can work together to yield sustainable plant growth in malnourished environments. Combinations of AMF and PGPB are commonly used to increase crop yields, improve fruit quality, boost phytoremediation, enhance the fertilizer nutrient use efficiency, lower chemical fertilization application requirements, and increase salinity tolerance.

8The use of silicon (Si) fertilizer has also been proposed as an environmentally friendly, ecologically compatible method of improving plant growth and the resistance to multiple environmental stresses including nutritional imbalances. Previous studies have reported that Si increases plant uptake of P. Combining Si and microorganism applications has been proposed to effectively induce improved plant growth and nutrition. Previous studies have observed that AMF and Si work together to improve plant growth regardless of the stress conditions, and that PSB and Si synergistically help plants better uptake P. However, how AMF, PSB and Si interact to affect P availability for plants is poorly understood. Thus, a better understanding of the interactions of AMF, PSB and Si would allow growers to rely less on chemical P fertilizers and instead utilize biological processes to maintain fertility and enhance plant growth. Hence, this review discusses the mechanisms which AMF, PSB, and Si, individually and together, use to increase plant uptake of P in agricultural systems where proper nutrition might otherwise suggest heavy use of P fertilizers. This review also highlights future research needs regarding how to improve plant uptake of P using AMF, PSB, and Si. In addition, the role of silicate-solubilizing bacteria (SSB), which convert insoluble silicate forms to available forms for the plant, in increasing P and Si availability and their uptake by plants is discussed.

9Plants exhibit a complex array of biochemical, morphological, and physiological adaptations to deal with P deficiency, which are generally known as “P starvation responses” and endeavor to increase P acquisition capacity and to preserve plant vitality. Some P deficiency responses are as follows. A preferential carbohydrate allocation toward the roots, higher density of root hairs, greater root surface area and length, as well as root cluster formations alter the root structure and lead to reduced plant growth and increased root-to-shoot ratio. The greater surface area provided by the larger root system allows for better absorption of nutrients, including P, through increased contact with the soil. Another important response to P deficiency is an increase in the root organic acid exudations, i.e., carboxylates (mainly citrate and malate) to the rhizosphere to increase the rhizospheric inorganic P availability. Plants also exhibit an increased efficiency of cellular P uptake. Inorganic P in soils is generally very immobile, so that the uptake of rhizospheric Pi is affected by the high–affinity Pi/H+ symporters associated to the plasma membranes that belong to the PHT1 gene family. Previous studies observed that P deficiency induced the expression of Pi transporters in wheat. Plants also induce enzymes that scavenge and recycle Pi, such as acid phosphatase, which catalyzes Pi hydrolysis from Pi–monoesters; nuclease, which degrades extracellular DNA and RNA; and phosphodiesterase, which liberates Pi from nucleic acids. Plants may also induce alternate cytosolic glycolysis pathways, tonoplast pyrophosphatase that pumps H+, and different respiratory electron transport pathways. Plants also remobilize the internal P from one plant part to another. Plants modify the carbohydrate partitioning between source and sink, photosynthesis, sugar metabolism in response to P deficiency, the cations in carbon metabolism and alternate respiratory pathways, and/or membrane biosynthesis to require lower amounts of P. Moreover, plants establish mycorrhizal symbioses, beneficial associations between soil fungi and plant roots.

10Arbuscular mycorrhizae are endomycorrhiza where the fungal hyphae penetrate the root cell walls and get in touch with the plasmalemma. AMF are commonly found in all of earth’s ecosystems with plants. The formation of arbuscular mycorrhiza has allowed plants to survive and grow in natural habitats for millions of years without fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation. AMF belong to the subphylum Glomeromycotina, encompassing 340 described species1.

11Having evolved 400–450 million years ago, this symbiosis is likely the oldest type of mycorrhiza, and it involves a wide variety of plants. AMF are obligate symbionts and acquire all of their organic carbon requirements from their plant partners. The symbiosis is often mutualistic based largely on carbon exchange from the plant (4–20% of photosynthetically fixed carbon) and P delivered by the fungi. More than 80% of earth’s plant species are estimated to be able to form this mycorrhizal symbiosis. The benefits of the arbuscular mycorrhizae in various plants (mostly in crops) have been proven. AMF increase plant resistance to abiotic stresses, improve mineral uptake (particularly of P), enhance water relations, and provide protection against soil-borne pathogens to promote plant growth. On top of significantly aiding the P supply to plants, AMF can help plants acquire macronutrients and micronutrients like Cu, K, Mg, N, and Zn, especially when they’re present in less soluble forms in soils. These fungi penetrate the root cortical cell walls and establish arbuscules, which are haustoria–like structures, that mediate the metabolite exchanges between the host cell and the fungi. AMF enhance the root zone absorption area by 10–100% and improve the plant ability to utilize more soil resources. Mycorrhizal roots are able to reach a greater soil volume than non-mycorrhizal ones, thanks to the extraradical hyphae that facilitate the nutrient absorption and translocation. AMF increase the nutrient absorption by increasing the absorption area of the roots, and also release chemicals such as glomalin, a glycoprotein secreted by hyphae and spores of AMF. Glomalin in the soil aids the uptake of nutrients such as Fe and P that are difficult to dissolve. P is easily absorbed from soil particles and therefore Pi-free zones are readily formed around the roots. Extraradical hyphae of the mycorrhizal roots extend beyond these P-depleted zones, taking up the bio-available Pi that is otherwise inaccessible to plants.

12The roots of arbuscular mycorrhizal plants have two pathways to absorb P. The first pathway is common to both arbuscular mycorrhizal plants and non-arbuscular mycorrhizal plants, where P is directly absorbed from the root epidermis and hairs. The second pathway involves P entering the root cortical cells (intraradical mycelium), where symbiotic interfaces are provided by arbuscules or hyphal coils, through the fungal hyphae (P uptake from the interfacial apoplast by cell-specific Pi transporter gene expression in the mycorrhizal roots). This is a rapid P translocation over many centimeters. New physiological and molecular evidence suggests that for P, regardless of plant growth responses, the mycorrhizal pathway is operational. The function of the transporters and the translocation of Pi in the fungi and the transfer of Pi to the host plants have been well reviewed.

13As mentioned above, the low solubility of P in acidic and alkaline soils (e.g., lower than 10 μM) results in a very low mobility. Therefore, when P is absorbed by the roots, its replacement from bulk soil is very slow, which leads to the establishment of P-depletion zones, where all the available P has been utilized quickly from around the roots, thereby reducing P uptake by the root epidermis hairs (the first pathway of P absorption). Therefore, for improved P acquisition, plants must overcome these depletion areas and display root activities in other parts of the soil. The result of this effort for P (and other relatively immobile soil resources) acquisition is determined by the root system surface area. The most important role of the hyphae in mycorrhizal fungi is the increase of the root surface area (depletion is lower around small–diameter arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal hyphae). In addition, mycorrhizal plants are able to exude organic acids such as citrate and malate that chelate Al3+ and Ca2+ and dissolve aluminum and calcium phosphates. By enhancing the soil contact area through AMF hyphae, plants are granted improved access to Pi and orthophosphates in the soil solution, as the roots are able to directly take up the released Pi with the help of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal hyphae. Arbuscular mycorrhizal roots do not establish a fungal sheath, and theoretically are able to use both of the nutrient uptake pathways. It has been proposed that the two nutrient uptake pathways act additively in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. However, approximately 80% of P uptake in a mycorrhizal plant is estimated to be supplied by the fungi. AMF also increase the ability of legumes to fix N2 and reduce the amount of inorganic N that leaches. Nitrogen is a component of chlorophyll and thus is important for photosynthesis. The transfer of photosynthetic materials to the roots results, in turn, in increased activity of soil microorganisms including AMF and PSB.

14In general, AMF can increase P uptake in P-deficient soils by (i) increasing the P uptake rate (P influx) per unit of arbuscular mycorrhizal root. This increased P uptake rate with AMF is due to the high effectiveness with which hyphal surfaces absorb P from the soil, compared to the cylindrical root surfaces; (ii) expanding the mycorrhizal hyphal network to reach beyond the rhizosphere, absorbing Pi by AMF hyphae via fungal Pi transporters up to 25 cm around the roots, translocating the Pi to intracellular fungal structures in the root cortical cells; (iii) storing P in the form of polyphosphates, such that the fungi can keep the internal Pi levels relatively low, effectively transferring P from soil to plant-based hyphae through appressoria and from the extraradical mycelium to the intraradical mycelium; (iv) having hyphae with a small diameter (2–20 μm) that allow the fungi to access small soil cores for P, and achieve greater P influx rates for a given surface area; and (v) decreasing the depletion zone around the roots or hyphae (decreasing the impact of rhizospheric Pi depletion). In one study, P depletion around the roots of Capsicum annuum L. plants or the hyphae of Glomus mossea only extended to about 0.06 cm and thus only ∼7% of the soil P was positionally available to the roots. But for the hyphae it was ∼100%, of the soil was positionally available because the half distance between neighboring hyphae was only 0.01 cm. As a general conclusion, the high effectiveness of hyphal surfaces to absorb P from soils may be enough in most cases to explain how AMF improve the uptake of available P from the soil.

15Rhizospheric P mineralization and solubilization are important mechanisms by which PSB increase the nutrient availability for plants. PSB play a major role in all three main parts of the soil P cycle (dissolution–precipitation, mineralization–immobilization, and sorption–desorption). There are various mechanisms by which PSB can change the insoluble phosphates into available forms. PSB strains belong to various genera (e.g., Achromobacter, Actinomadura, Aerobactor, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Bacillus, Chryseobacterium, Delftia, Enterobacter, Gordonia, Klebsiella, Pantoea, Phyllobacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Rhodococcus, Serratia, Streptomyces, Thiobacillus, Xanthobacter, Xanthomonas) and can solubilize insoluble Pi compounds including dicalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, and rock phosphate, and mineralize organic phosphate compounds to forms that can be absorbed by plants (i.e., H2PO4– and HPO42–). Each phosphate–solubilizing bacterium may employ multiple mechanisms to solubilize insoluble P. Some of the most significant bacterial mechanisms that increases P availability for plants are briefly discussed in the following sections.

16Most P uptake occurs in the pH range 6.5–7. However, because of equilibrium reactions such as sorption/desorption and the dissolution of P-bearing minerals are pH-dependent, PSB solubilize Pi in neutral to alkaline soils by excreting protons and producing organic and inorganic acids. NH4+ assimilation by plants and PSB leads to hydrogen ion (H+) excretion to maintain electroneutrality. Organic acids (e.g., 2–ketogluconic, aspartic, citric, gluconic, lactic, malic, malonic, oxalic, succinic, and tartaric acid) are produced by bacterial metabolism, mainly due to oxidative respiration or carbon source fermentations, such as periplasmic glucose oxidizing into gluconic acid and being released into the soil solution, or the oxidation of organic matter or animal fertilizers added to the soil. Organic acids can solubilize P from mineral surfaces via ligand-promoted dissolution or ligand exchange. In addition, PSB can indirectly reduce the pH of the rhizosphere and increase P levels by affecting the root system and, consequently, increasing the root exudates. Since root exudates contain different chelating agents and organic acids, they can increase the rhizospheric P availability. Organic acids (or organic anions) can enhance the rhizospheric P levels by lowering the pH, as PSB generally release the dissociated organic acids with protons, which allows them to preserve electroneutrality. Organic acids compete with phosphates for fixation sites, or even replace the adsorbed phosphates on the soil clays surfaces, such as amorphous aluminum oxides, goethite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite. Chelating agents present in the root exudates (e.g., siderophores) can improve P availability to plants by promoting the chelation of P-bound Al3+, Ca2+, and Fe3+, or establishing soluble complexes with metal ions associated with insoluble P, which circumvents Pi precipitation (Figure 1). On the other hand, root exudates come from different carbon sources (e.g., amino acids, mucilage, nucleotides, organic acids, phyto–siderophores, sugars, and vitamins) and have different signals, which lead to the attraction of microbial flora at the root level, including PSB. Increases in the microbial population result in the production of more rhizospheric organic acid production and subsequently decreases the rhizospheric pH (;;;;;;; Figure 1).

17Mineral acids like carbonic acid (H2CO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), in addition to organic acids, have been reported to contribute to solubilizing insoluble Pi. Sulfur–oxidizing bacteria (SOB) such as those belonging to the genus Thiobacillus and nitrifying bacteria (NB) like those belonging to the genera Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, oxidize sulfur and ammonia and lead to the formation of inorganic acids and, consequently, reduce the pH, which ultimately increases the rhizospheric P availability. SOB oxidize reduced sulfur compounds to produce sulfuric acid in the presence of oxygen to obtain energy while NB get their energy by oxidizing inorganic nitrogen compounds. Carbon dioxide (CO2) resulting from microbial respiration and organic matter decomposition, after combining with water, becomes carbonic acid which can also reduce the rhizospheric pH and lead to increased P availability (Figure 1). In general, the role of inorganic acids in the solubilization of P is lower than that of organic acids and is less frequently reported. Since the ability of PSB to lower the pH in certain instances is not always associated with Pi solubilization ability, acidification cannot be the only mechanism for dissolving insoluble Pi.

18Plants and microorganisms in low-iron conditions produce siderophores which are low molecular weight (200–2000 Da) organic compounds with an iron–chelating ability. The primary role of siderophores is to chelate Fe(III) under various environmental conditions making the element available to plants and microorganisms. Siderophores can bind to a variety of metals besides Fe(III) including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn, albeit with a lower affinity. PSB have also been shown to be capable of producing siderophores which can promote the dissolution of insoluble mineral P. Siderophores can improve P availability for plants by ligand exchange and chelating the elements (e.g., Al3+, Ca2+, and Fe3+) that form a complex with P (Figure 1).

19One mechanism that plants employ to deal with P deficiency is to allocate a large portion of the photosynthetic substrates to root growth, to develop fine roots with small diameters with greater surface area. Fine roots, especially root hairs, are associated with scavenging soil P with their high surface area. PGPB, including PSB, can improve a plant’s P capturing capacity by promoting root growth through branching, hormonal stimulation, or root hair development (phytostimulation; e.g., production of IAA or enzymes that modify plant ethylene precursors, like 1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase). A plant’s response to P starvation stress can result in a decrease in the number of root hairs. The ACC deaminase enzyme can degrade the precursor for the ethylene production and influences how P affects the root growth; ethylene can adjust the root architectural response to soil P availability.

20The abundance and length of the root hairs are positively correlated with the immobile element uptake. Modified root morphology of inoculated plants may enhance P uptake. Many PSB genera in soils are known to secrete IAA that plant roots absorb, leading to increased endogenous pool of IAA in plants. In addition, many PSB are also reported to produce ACC deaminase.

21Bacterial IAA can promote the development (architecture, branching, etc.) of the root system and increase root exudation. Organic acids in root exudates lead to rhizosphere acidification and also play an important part in forming and increasing the mobility of complexes with essential ions for plant uptake (Figure 1; ). For example, reported the role of exuded carboxylates in solubilizing various P complexes. Exuded organic acid anions may also be the growth substrates for microorganisms. Root exudates are a more effective nutrient source than soil organic matter that are easily degradable for microorganisms in the rhizosphere.

22The increase in CO2 production from respiration of the rhizosphere microbial population leads to acidification of the rhizospheric environment. This can also lead to enhanced P availability, by increasing the release of new root extracts. Rhizospheric acidification also results from the H+ pump from plant and microbe nutrient uptake, N2 fixation by the symbiosis between Rhizobium and legume, and organic matter decomposition. Certain microorganisms may indirectly enhance P nutrition for plants by enhancing root growth or root hair elongation, which allows for a greater degree of soil exploration instead of directly increasing soil P availability. IAA–producing PSB can also solubilize insoluble Pi in a manner similar to PSB by increasing the root surface area and subsequently increasing the root exudates. In general, plant growth regulators influence root architecture and can increase P acquisition efficiency, especially from unavailable forms, and for this purpose root traits are a key factor.

23Organic P forms a significant part (40–80%) of the total soil P. Plants encountering P deficiency increase the exudation of P–hydrolyzing enzymes. In addition to dissolving phosphates affected by organic acids, the reactions of the phosphatase group of enzymes in the soil are also important. Phosphatases play a significant part in the organic P mineralization in soils. PSB can mineralize organic P by secreting phosphatases. Microbial–derived phosphatases are more likely to be combined with phosphate compounds than plant phosphatases are, and they help release orthophosphates from soil organic P. Phytate (inositol hexaphosphate) is one of main soil organic P forms, accounting for over 50% of the total soil P. Phosphatases are not effective in mineralizing phytate. Phytase secreted by microorganisms converts phytate into P esters that can be broken down into Pi by phosphatases. Inorganic P immobilization by PSB can indirectly help P solubilization. PSB remove and assimilate P from the liquid culture medium according to the sink theory, activating the indirect dissolution of apatite or Ca3(PO4)2. This can be explained according to Le Chatelier’s principle, which states that lowering the concentration of Pi in soil solution promotes the balance toward the production of the Pi (e.g., release of Pi from calcium phosphates). Over a long period of time, all of the microbial P can potentially become available to plants. P immobilization in the biomass has been suggested to be an important mechanism for regulating P supply in a soil solution, and for keeping labile P forms protected from reactions with the soil.

24Elemental Si is the second most abundant element in the lithosphere (approximately 28%). Si dioxide (SiO2) is the most common form of Si in soils. The main Si components in most soils includes amorphous silica, feldspars, kaolin, orthoclase, plagioclase, quartz, smectite, and vermiculite. Most Si contained in silicate minerals, and only a very small portion of the Si found in nature is available for use by plants. The soluble Si is dependent on the pH and redox potential of the soil. In soils, Si is found as amorphous Si (minerogenic silica nodules, biogenic phytoliths, etc.), dissolved Si (adsorbed to aluminum or iron oxides/hydroxides or free in the soil solution), crystalline Si (primary silicates like feldspars, mica, quartz and secondary silicates like clay minerals), and poorly crystalline Si (e.g., secondary quartz). The soil soluble Si levels in ecosystems can differ up to two orders of magnitude (0.01–2.0 mM), and is mainly dependent on the parent material, soil diagenesis stage, and vegetation type.

25Si is not identified as an essential nutrient for plant growth and development. However, an increasing number of studies indicate that Si is a quasi-essential nutrient and is beneficial to plants, especially when under different stresses such as drought, heavy metal toxicity, nutritional imbalance, plant pathogens, and salinity; Si is also known to play an important part in plant ecology and evolution. Plant roots absorb the Si present as silicic acid [Si(OH)4] at levels of 0.1–0.6 mM in the soil solution, and pass it through the plasma membrane via two Si transporters, Lsi1 and Lsi2, that respectively function as the influx and efflux transporters and have been identified in barley, pumpkin, rice, and wheat. Si is polymerized to silica gel (SiO2⋅nH2O) in plants, generally referred to as silica bodies or phytoliths, which are released back into the soil as dead plant materials that decay and then may be taken up by plants. Si is customarily found as hydrogen-bound bound organic Si complexes in plant tissues and saturates the walls of the epidermis and vessels where it strengthens plant tissues and reduces water transpiration.

26Si levels in the aboveground plant parts differ greatly depending on the plant species, accounting for 0.1–10.0% of the dry weight, and are often at concentrations similar to that of essential macronutrients such as K, N, and P. Plants take up Si actively via metabolically–driven transporters, or passively or rejectively, with water. The disparity in the Si accumulation of different crop species is due to the difference in the Si absorbing capacity of the roots. Generally, monocots are considered good Si accumulators, where Si concentrations are greater than 1% of the dry weight, whereas most dicots accumulate Si at levels lower than 0.1% of the total biomass and are considered excluders.

27Si also influences the uptake of micronutrients and macronutrients in plants. Si fertilization increases P levels in different crops and improves plant growth by enhancing P availability for plants. For example, found that Si increased the soil P availability by up to 50%. also observed that Si supplied as Na2SiO3 increased P levels in the shoots of wheat grown in low P acid soil (available P < 4 mg kg–1 and pH 4.0) to an adequate level (>0.3%) in the range of P-fertilized wheat under greenhouse conditions. In this study, Si application increased the root organic acid exudation, such as malate and citrate that mobilize the rhizospheric Pi and up-regulate expression of Pi transporters (TaPHT1.1 and TaPHT1.2). This organic acid exudation by the wheat roots was many times higher than without Si application, and the P uptake was doubled. There is insufficient data regarding the effect of exogenous Si on organic acid production in plants. In a recent study, it was found that Si can alter organic acid production in plants by increasing carbon fluxes into TCA cycle and the activity of TCA cycle enzymes. However, further work is needed to elucidate how Si modulates organic acid metabolism in plants under P deficit conditions.

28Much remains to be investigated on how Si interferes with soil P mobilization. Some mechanisms by which Si improves soil P availability and plant P uptake are as follows: (i) competitive exchange and sorptive interaction of P and Si. P binding to soil minerals was observed to be the lowest with silicate minerals; (ii) increasing the soil pH to enhance soil P availability in acidic soils; (iii) indirectly improving P utilization by plants by decreasing the uptake and availability of metals. P availability is controlled by levels of other metals such as Fe and Mn under P deficiency. A large proportion of soil Pi is strongly bound/adsorbed to aluminum, iron and manganese hydroxides in the soil. Si decreases the iron and manganese availability in soil by affecting the element binding to the soil particles and reducing the pool of hydroxides and can therefore indirectly increase P availability. Si may increase P availability for plants even in high P conditions by mobilizing P from such mineral surfaces (e.g., aluminum, iron and manganese hydroxides); (iv) modifying the C:N:P stoichiometry and improving the nutrient use efficiency; (v) increasing the root organic anion efflux to mobilize the rhizospheric Pi. Si significantly increased the exudation rates of citrate and malate to directly stimulate inorganic P acquisition by the roots. Organic anions such as acetic, aconitic, citric, malic, fumaric, lactic, oxalic, and succinic acids compete with Pi to form complexes with aluminum, calcium, and iron and may hydrolyze organic P. Organic acids like malic and citric acids were observed to reduce the pH and result in a substantially increased P mobilization from calcium compounds and effectively enhanced P uptake from sparingly soluble rock phosphates; (vi) enhancing the gene expressions related to Pi uptake under P deficiency, which is key to improving the Pi absorption in different plant species. The P use efficiency of plants under P deficiency could be improved with manipulation of gene expressions related to Pi uptake. A number of genes are involved with plant adaptation to P deficiency, associated with regulating the acquisition, internal remobilization of P, and changing the metabolism as well as signaling transduction. Si has been observed to modulate the expression of stress-related genes and alter plant metabolism in response to various plant stresses; and (vii) mobilizing or desorbing of organic carbon from soil particles or mineral binding sites (e.g., goethite). Si has a strong bonding affinity to minerals in the soil comparable with carbon and P, and may mobilize the two elements and make them more available for microbial decomposition. The released carbon can supply the microorganisms, including PSB, with energy for their growth in soils. The carbon dioxide produced by microbial respiration results in the production of carbonic acid, leading to increased P availability. Microbial respiration was observed to lower the soil pH by producing carbonic acid, and thus led to dissolution of apatite as Pi. How the Si availability in soils interacts with P availability in soils is generally poorly understood and requires further research.

29In mycorrhizal association, the plant and fungi interact both in the soil around the root (rhizosphere) and in soil around the fungal hyphae (mycorrhizosphere). The fungi interact with other microorganisms in the mycorrhizosphere whose synergistic effects increase plant growth and also populations of both. The presence of different bacterial taxa that colonized the surface of AM extraradical hyphae and spores that form biofilm–like structures on them has been reported in natural ecosystems. There may exist cooperation between AMF and the associated bacteria, such as PSB. PSB may provide the hyphae with Pi and rely on the carbon released by AMF. Earlier research demonstrated that AMF and PSB may enhance P acqusition of the AM host plant through their interactactions (;;;; Figure 2). However, the mechanisms by which this nutritional improvement is brought about remain unclear. In the following sections, what is currently known of how AMF and PSB influence each other and, consequently, increase P availability, are discussed separately.

30The phosphate-solubilizing activities of AMF are still controversial although AM plants have generally been shown to increase the uptake of insoluble Pi. In many studies, mycorrhizal inoculants were observed to alter the composition and/or amount of total low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAAs) exuded by AM plants. However, direct evidence for solubilization of P by AM fungi has not been obtained to date. Despite the fact that AM fungi might not exude LMWOAAs by themselves, they can, however, improve P solubilization and/or mineralization indirectly by stimulating the surrounding soil microbes via the exudation of labile C, thus increasing local nutrient availability in the hyphosphere and in soil patches beyond the root hairs.

31PSB solubilize phosphates and release Pi ions from the sparingly soluble organic/inorganic P compounds found in nature into a form that AMF can acquire and deliver to the plant. 32P-Labeling studies have shown that mycorrhiza increase the absorptive root surface areas to facilitate P uptake, but do not help in P solubilization. In another 32P-labeling study, seven bacterial strains isolated from AMF spores facilitated P uptake by promoting the development of AM extraradical mycelium.

32Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi cannot extract P on their own from indigenous less-available forms of P sources, such as rock phosphates, and can only absorb Pi ions from the soil solution. However, with the help of certain bacteria AMF can acquire P from rock phosphates and translocate it to the host plant. AMF were able to acquire P from sources that were otherwise inaccessible with the help of PSB. These interactions can also indirectly benefit plants; Medicago sativa shoot P concentrations were observed to be improved. The interaction between the two microorganism groups may lead to synergistic effects. It has been found that the AMF–PSB interactions only benefit plants when additional P was also supplied. showed that P concentrations available in the soil regulate P mobilization and immobilization to determine the bacterial P contribution to plants. In general, when the available P level is low in soils, AMF and PSB compete for the P, and this competition is not stimulated by the fungi. With additional P supply, PSB improved the AMF hyphal growth, and the PSB activities were stimulated by the fungi.

33During evolution with plants, AMF have lost the genes encoding proteins involved in saprotrophic function, which means that they cannot directly breakdown soil organic matter. PSB can increase the AMF hyphal growth by hydrolyzing organic P with secretion of the phosphatases and phytases and providing mineral P to the fungi. It has been reported that AMF cannot secrete phosphatases and directly decompose organic nutrients. AM fungi possess many genes encoding acid phosphatases in their genomes, with at least seven genes expressed in Rhizophagus clarus. However, secretion of phosphatases is mostly associated with the cell wall and their presence in the rhizosphere has been demonstrated only in limited cases. The magnitude of these processes is questioned as it is difficult to isolate the effects of plants, fungi and others microorganisms present in the experiments under non-sterile conditions. In an in vitro monoxenic culture, provided evidence that the acid phosphatase activity originated from R. clarus. Nevertheless, the interaction of AM association with the phosphatase activity and the subsequent P acquisition by efficient genotypes is still unclear.

34Because AMF are unable to release phosphatases outside the hyphae, AMF’s organic P utilization appears to depend on the recruitment of other soil microbes. The microbiome associated with the hyphae may play a key role in AMF’s utilization of organic P. AMF may shift the microbiome composition to influence organic P mineralization. Importantly, AMF hyphae seem to specifically recruit bacteria that produce alkaline phosphatase which can mineralize organic P; these species are not found when AMF is excluded. Despite the fact that a major AMF function is to increase P availability to plants, AMF cannot release phosphatases into the soil. In a study under controlled, sterile conditions, the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM 197198 released carbon-rich compounds to stimulate PSB functions, but did not directly influence the phosphatase activities. Thus, AMF cannot directly utilize organic P, which limits its contribution to plant uptake of P. PSB accounts for up to 40% of all culturable bacteria and can make up for this defect in AMF. This suggests that AMF and PSB need to interact to help plants uptake P. Recent results demonstrate that the AMF hyphal surfaces are colonized by PSB and the hyphal exudates are utilized as a carbon source. In other words, AMF can attract PSB and help them multiply to improve the organic P utilization by releasing hyphal exudates and providing a carbon source. PSB can then colonize the AMF hyphal surfaces. This enhances the activities of the phosphatases released by the PSB, and stimulates the organic P mineralization. The extraradical AMF hyphae can then access Pi released from organic P sources. In addition, AMF hyphae-associated PSB in the soil play an important role in phytate P mineralization and that the AMF primes the mineralization and turnover of the organic P (organic P utilization affected by the AMF-bacteria interaction). For example, in a recent study observed that fructose exuded by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Rhizophagus irregularis, stimulated the expression of phosphatase genes in a phosphate solubilizing bacterium, Rahnella aquatilis, as well as the rate of phosphatase release into the growth medium by regulating its protein secretory system. The phosphatase activity was also subsequently increased, promoting the mineralization of organic P (i.e., phytate) into Pi, stimulating simultaneously the processes involved in P uptake by Rh. irregularis. In general, PSB can increase P availability for AMF, especially from organic P sources, which may increase the expression of Pi transporter genes in the AMF hyphae (; Figure 3).

35Bacteria are known to influence AMF fitness and ecological functions. PSB can lead to increased plant growth parameters by stimulating the native AMF’s establishment, growth rate, multiplication, and spore germination. PSB can promote AMF extraradical hyphal growth and allow PSB to explore a greater volume of the mycorrhizosphere and AMF hyphae to gain access to new solubilized P sources. Increased mycelial growth of Glomus mosseae spores, for example, was reported to be caused by an unidentified PGP rhizobacterium. These bacteria also helped mycorrhiza by promoting root colonization by indigenous and introduced AMF. Bacteria can promote hyphal growth and facilitate root penetration by AMF via producing compounds that increase cell penetrability and result in increased root exudation rates. Following hyphal growth, the rates of root colonization and AMF development also increase. Bacterial IAA is known to be able to loosen plant cell walls and therefore promote root exudation which supplies additional nutrition that can support microbial growth. One of components of root exudates is enzymes such as amylase, DNase, phosphatase, polygalacturonase, protease, RNase, sucrase, urease, and xylanase that can play a role in organic P mineralization, decomposition of other organic compounds, and release of mineral elements, and, therefore, provide mineral P and other elements for the AMF. It is well established that bacterial IAA increases the ability of plants to convert nutrients from non–available forms to available forms by increasing the root system, root discharge and microbial flora. Bacteria IAA–mediated release of root exudates can enhance P mobility for plants and AMF by releasing protons (H+) or by forming amino/organic acid mineral complexes (by chelation of cations accompanying P e.g., Fe3+, Al3+, and Ca2+), and indirectly (as a source of nutrients for microorganisms) by stimulating the microbial activities in the rhizosphere (functioning, growth, propagation, survival). The increased soil saprobiotic microbial populations mediated by root exudates can, in turn, improve N availability for AMF through organic matter decomposition. Other microorganisms attracted to root exudates stimulate hyphal growth, mycorrhizal colonization, and spore production, thereby increasing AMF fitness. Flavonoids are the main signaling compounds that are isolated from plant root exudates, and it’s been suggested that they play a distinct role in the AM development. Different flavonoids affect the growth and differentiation of the hyphae as well as root colonization in a structure–specific manner. Flavonoids also influence presymbiotic growth differently according to the genus and species. Furthermore, it has also been proposed that some of the so-called mycorrhiza helper bacteria that promote mycorrhiza formation induce flavonoid release from plants, and facilitate root colonization by mycorrhizal plants. A number of studies have demonstrated that the IAA-secretion induced stimulation of root hair growth and lateral root elongation supplies more active sites and access for symbiotic AMF and PSB associations. Therefore, it seems that PSB (IAA positive) stimulate root hair elongation to improve root weight and architecture, and therefore potentially improve mycorrhizal formation. Previous studies have shown that PGPB modify hormonal signaling in plants to influence root architecture, stimulate the growth of the shoots and roots, and increase essential nutrient uptake. AMF-induced plant growth is in part attributed to modified plant hormone level.

36The relationship between the AMF and host roots is complex and requires a continuous exchange of signals which leads to a developmental coexistence. Phytohormones are the signals that regulate various plant growth processes and can therefore manage colonization and AM symbiosis formation. For example, bacterial IAA may increase the number of lateral roots for fungi to colonize in early growth stages to facilitate host colonization. Increased IAA levels and IAA–induced gene expressions have been suggested to contribute to phenotypic changes during mycorrhizal colonization. Fungi may use IAA and the related compounds as a colonization strategy to interact with plants, stimulating plant growth and modifying basal plant defense mechanisms. Generally, the increased levels of IAA result in more lateral roots that form the preferred penetration sites for the AM hyphae.

37Abscisic acid (ABA) is a sesquiterpenoid hormone, derived from carotenoids, which functions at multiple levels to regulate AM symbiosis. ABA deficiency also results in the induction of ethylene production, which adversely affects mycorrhizal interaction with plants. The synthesis of ACC deaminase produced by PSB lowers the stress ethylene levels associated with stimulating AMF growth.

38In addition, gibberellins (GAs), key regulators of plant growth and development, play a role during arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) formation. GAs inhibit arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses by altering GA response changes in the expression of genes associated with mycorrhizal colonization, inhibiting AM hyphal entry into the host root, and suppressing the expression of reduced arbuscular mycorrhization1 (RAM1) and RAM2 homologs that function in hyphal entry and arbuscule formation. The balance between ABA and GAs is also essential for AM formation in plant roots as the imbalance in the ABA/GAs ratio can reduce arbuscule abundance in mycorrhizal roots. In addition, GA signaling also positively interacts with symbiotic responses and promotes AM colonization of the host root. For example, in one study, low GA conditions suppressed arbuscular mycorrhiza-induced subtilisin-like serine protease1 (SbtM1) expression, which is required for AM fungal colonization and reduced hyphal branching in the host root. In this study, the reduced hyphal branching and SbtM1 expression due to the inhibition of GA biosynthesis were recovered by GA treatment, supporting the theory that insufficient GA signaling causes inhibitory effects on arbuscular mycorrhiza development. Accordingly, it seems that PSB positive for ABA and GA-producing traits can regulate the level of production of these hormones in the plant and lead to improved arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses. The ability to produce GAs in some bacteria has been reported. However, it is not yet clear if mycorrhizal fungi produce GA. Therefore, the presence of such bacteria is necessary to improve mycorrhizal symbioses.

39Mycorrhizae affect both the composition and number of the rhizospheric and hyphospheric bacterial communities, as well as bacterial communities of the surface of the AMF hyphae or mycelium closely attached to the soil. AMF result in the establishment of an extensive soil hyphal network, creating a dedicated niche for bacteria. In the cytoplasm of some AMF isolates belonging to the Gigasporaceae family endophytic bacteria are found, which is a case where bacteria coexist with fungi. The bacterial colonization of the AMF hyphal and spore surfaces has been confirmed with molecular and microscopic analyses and illustrates the existence of a close relationship between the two microorganism groups. Similar to roots, AMF hyphae are rapid channels for photosynthates and release carbon-rich compounds into the soil and can stimulate microbial growth and function. The root exudates are a major nutrient source for the rhizospheric PSB, and its chemical composition may be influenced by the AMF. Furthermore, the extensive extraradical AMF hyphae and the exudates create conditions that can influence bacterial activities and growth including PSB. The changes in the soil bacterial community composition induced by AMF are described, both under in vivo and controlled conditions.

40Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance the chlorophyll content, PSII photochemical efficiency, and net photosynthetic rate of plants and also transfer plant photosynthates underground, which can stimulate PSB activity and growth as most PSB are heterotrophic and depend on nutrient substrates that can be easily decomposed. AMF hyphae are also rapid channels for the recently produced photosynthates, which can attract PSB and promote their growth. In addition, it has been found that the availability of easily decomposable organic compounds limits microbial P solubilization in soil extracts from phosphate minerals. Saprotrophic phosphate solubilizing microorganisms in mineral soils generally lack sufficient carbon because most organic carbon in soils is protected from sorptive or recalcitrant microbial decomposition or is simply spatially inaccessible. Accordingly, increased microbial P solubilization rates are reported when carbon sources become available.

41Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi generate a vast extraradical hyphae in the soil that microorganisms can inhabit. PSB can grow alongside AMF hyphae in and out of the root, in sterile conditions as well as with an indigenous microbial community, demonstrating the close relationship of AMF and PSB. This may help PSB to use the hyphae to access areas further away in the soil to acquire insoluble P. By developing an external mycelium, AMF, upon root colonization, connect the root with the surrounding soil microhabitats and can contribute to nutrient capture and supply. The PSB can also use the AMF hyphae to allow growth in the direction toward the plant, colonize the rhizosphere, and use more plant exudates.

42Phosphate–solubilizing bacteria attachment to the extraradical AMF hyphae can ensure that P solubilization would occur in locations where it is the most beneficial for fungi to access the additional soluble P. The phosphate solubilized by AMF and PSB is effectively absorbed by plants through a channel formed by the mycorrhiza between plant roots and the surrounding soil.

43Since the mobilized orthophosphates can quickly be immobilized by microbial biomass, AMF can absorb and transfer the nutrients to the roots through their effective mycorrhizal mycelium, and reach microhabitats where orthophosphates are made available by P-mobilizing microorganisms. AMF cannot directly decompose organic nutrients, as they have no known saprotrophic capabilities. AMF can also increase the soil saprobiotic microbe activities, including those of PSB. These bacteria can decompose organic matter and in turn also improve the N and P availability for AMF and plants. Previously, reported that AMF enhance the activity of nitrogen–fixing bacteria (NFB) and PSB and thus promote plant growth. PSB can also release diffrent enzymes to decompose the organic matter, and can provide mineral nutrients for the AMF hyphae. Therefore, in exchange for using the carbon released by the AMF, these microbes can provide additional benefits to the fungi. AMF and PSB may obtain their required nutrients from their partners and enhance their own fitness through cooperation. By increasing the root surface areas for nutrient acquisition, or through more specific mechanisms, AMF can also help plants resist abiotic and biotic stresses. PSB solubilize phosphates into forms that are usable by the AMF, and AMF can absorb the P and transport it to the plant using a range of mechanisms. AMF may also help spread PSB to neighboring rhizospheres. Therefore, AMF and PSB interact synergistically.

44The benefits of Si nutrition, although significant, are limited due to its restricted uptake by plant. However, AMF such as Glomus etunicatum, G. versiform, G. coronatum, Rhizophagus clarus (=Glomus clarum), Rhizophagus irregularis (=Glomus intraradices), and Funneliformis mosseae (= Glomus mosseae) were observed to increase Si uptake in the roots and shoots of mycorrhizal plants (i.e., Saccharum spp., Glycine max L., Zea mays L., Cajanus cajan L., Cicer arietinum L., strawberry, and banana) compared to non–mycorrhizal plants. AMF play a substantial role in Si uptake, translocation from the external solution to the intraradical mycelium, and transfer from the fungal cells to the root cells. The mechanisms remain unclear but it is not excluded that active transport is involved via transporters located within the extraradical hyphae at the soil-fungus interface for the uptake of Si and at the plant–fungal interface (i.e., arbuscule) for its transfer across the peri–arbuscular interface in the plant cells. These studies highlight the importance of AMF inoculation as tools to effectively enhance Si uptake by plants. Therefore, it would be of great interest to investigate how AM symbiosis enhances the host plant uptake of Si and how AM symbiosis and Si uptake help to improve P nutrition and plant growth.

45Mycorrhizal effectiveness (or responsiveness of plants to mycorrhizae) is defined as the difference in the growth of plants with and without mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizal effectiveness is influenced by different factors like fungal species, plant species and genotype, and soil conditions. Compared to the studies widely performed on the effects of P availability as a soil chemical factor on the mycorrhizal effectiveness, research on how Si affects mycorrhizal effectiveness are lacking. However, in two recent studies, mycorrhizal effectiveness was increased with Si treatments in strawberry plants inoculated with AMF Rhizophagus clarus, Rhizophagus intraradices, and Glomus versiform compared to AMF plants not treated with Si. Some known mechanisms by which Si benefits the AMF effectiveness include: (i) enhancing the uptake and transfer of nutrients for plants and stimulating the root growth in AMF plants, which can lead to promoted AMF colonization; (ii) increasing the photosynthetic rate such that the fungal partner is able to receive a greater carbon supply, for example, by increasing the leaf chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic enzyme activities, and stomatal conductance (Figure 3) and improving the leaf stability so that leaves are oriented more horizontally. Since 4–20% of the fixed carbon from photosynthesis is transferred to the AMF, the mycorrhizal association relies on the organic carbon supplied from their photosynthetic partners. Furthermore, the photosynthetic rate (organic carbon supply) is positively correlated with the hyphal absorption capacity and arbuscule formation; (iii) modifying the phenolic metabolic pathways in AMF host plants and/or reducing polymerization and lignin synthesis, which can affect how AMF interact with the host plant. Studies have investigated how Si affects the metabolism of phenolic compounds in plants. Phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, are known to potentially help facilitate AMF to interact with their host plants, improve fungal growth parameters such as branching, hyphal growth, spore germination and secondary spore formation, and contribute to the fungal invasion and root arbuscule formation; and (iv) increasing the pool of soluble sugars in the roots, which is crucial for the entry and further establishment in the roots, of AMF. Future research should investigate the metabolic and molecular mechanisms that are associated with the synergistic relationship of Si and AMF.

46Phosphate–solubilizing bacteria generally have the ability to weather silicates, likely because basic metabolic activities like organic acid production and respiration can cause the weathering of minerals. PSB mainly solubilize insoluble Pi by acidifying the microenvironment. In addition to increasing P availability for plants, there are some reports that PSB are also able to increase Si availability and uptake. observed that the PSB strain Enterobacter ludwigii GAK2, isolated from paddy soils, was able to significantly increase P and Si levels in rice plant tissues grown on insoluble Pi [Ca3(PO4)2] and insoluble silicate (Mg2O8Si3) based soils. This bacterial strain also increased rice plant growth indices (chlrophyll content, fresh biomass, root and shoot lengths). In another study, the PSB strains Bacillus simplex UT1 and Pseudomonas sp. FA1 significantly increased the shoot Si levels in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Given the role of Si in increasing soil P availability, one question that arises here is whether the Si-mediated increase in soil P availability has an inhibitory effect on bacterial solubilization of P from insoluble Pi sources. It is noteworthy that microbial P solubilization is not influenced by the soil P availability. For example, in a study, adding P (100 mg of ground apatite) to soil extracts from soils with various P fractions (bioavailable P between 0.6 to 38 mg kg–1 and total P between 0.42 to 1.23 g kg–1) and degree of weathering, which had been incubated 28 days, did not substantially reduce P solubilization rates, which indicates that the P availability does not affect the microbial soil P solubilization. It is probable that microbial P solubilization is not driven by the microbial P demand but rather is a side effect of microbial metabolism. It was also observed that P fertilization over several years did not influence PSB abundance in the grassland soils of different continents. Generally, PSB can benefit plants by accelerating the weathering of silicates and increasing the rhizospheric concentration of available Si.

47The potential effect of Si on the soil microbial community has attracted only a limited amount of attention. However, there are some reports showing that Si can significantly influences some soil microbial community components (e.g., it increased beneficial bacterial population and reduced soil fungi/bacteria ratio). It is reported that bacteria use Si-based autotrophy as a source of energy to support CO2 fixation. It is also proposed that the first bacteria may have evolved on earth because of Si. A number of bacteria and fungi are able to grow on nutrient-free silica gel and distilled water. According to a study, silicic acid increases the number of both aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in ultra-pure water incubated under strict oligotrophic conditions. In addition, organisms use silica through silicification, a process by which silica is utilized and deposited by bacteria and also Si-based compounds stimulate the population of oligotrophic bacteria in soil. In a previous study, it was shown that the microbial population increased with an increase in concentration of nanosilica. In addition, silica content in biomass also increased with an increase in the concentration of nanosilica. It is known that nanosilica is not toxic to the soil bacterial community. The reason behind the interaction between nanosilica and bacteria may reflect a hydration property of the nanosilica surface, which could facilitate the attraction of silica to the microbial surface.

48There are a few studies that have focused on the effect of Si application on the activity and population of PSB. In one study, the efficiency of nanosilica (0.5 g kg–1 of soil) was evaluated in terms of its effects on beneficial microbial population such as PSB in the rhizosphere soil of maize. When compared with the control (2.0 × 104 CFU g–1), the silica-treated rhizosphere soils revealed an increase in the PSB population (4.4 × 104 CFU g–1). This shows that the addition of silica may act as a substrate for P uptake systems in soil as well as in plants. An increase in the population of PSB of nanosilica-amended soil indicates enhanced soil fertility and enhanced available nutrients to the plants. The increased population of PSB in nanosilica-treated rhizosphere soil may be due to the availability of more P to plants, as the Si competes for P in a plant system. Because both P and Si influence the P content and the population of PSB, the uptake of either source increases the populations of PSB. Hence, silica may act as a substrate for PSB, which results in an increase in the population of PSB and availability of P. The changes in soil inorganic nutrients with respect to silica fertilization may also be due to the production of organic compounds by increased microbial activity and desorption of inorganic nutrients from soil mineral compounds. It is also reported that the bacteria use silica from soil and hence, there is a decrease in the silica content in the soil. Thus, nanosilica can be included for fertilizer formulations to make the soil more fertile and to improve soil phosphate-solubilizing bacterial community for improving plant P nutrition.

49Plants are not able to absorb Si until monosilicic acid (H4SiO4) is released into the soil solution through weathering or dissolution. Monosilicic acid generally originates from the weathering of soil minerals that contain Si, desorption from the soil matrix, irrigation water, and Si fertilizers. Si fertilizers, unlike conventional fertilizers, have a limited availability and are often not affordable for many farmers. Therefore, they are rarely used in many countries, especially in developing countries. Silicate fertilizers are usually composed of (i) industrial byproducts or slags rich in Si, whose application may lead to metal contamination of soils, (ii) bentonite, diatomaceous earth, feldspars, and micas, which are biologically/minerally derived Si fertilizers with low Si bioavailability and high application rates and (iii) highly soluble, but very expensive, potassium silicates. Si-rich crop residues, construction/demolition wastes that contain aluminum, calcium, and potassium silicates, mineral/metal mining wastes, and silicate rocks may be recycled to affordable silicate fertilizers. The solubility of the primary and secondary minerals in soils is the main factor that influences the soil Si concentration. The primary and secondary minerals can be subjected to physico-chemical and biochemical interventions that accelerate the solubility for soil applications, but biochemical action via microbial activities is considered most important for this process. Many studies have observed that microbes isolated from the surface of silicate minerals weather different silicates.

50Plants and their associated microflora are known to also influence silicate weathering (the dissolution and mobilization of silicate minerals in soil) by altering the physical soil properties, modifying the soil pH, and producing chelating ligands. It has been reported that among microorganisms, plant associated bacteria accelerate the dissolution of silicates and release Si to the plant–soil system through bio-weathering processes. With an increase in knowledge of how Si benefits plants, rhizospheric soils have been explored in search of new bacteria that solubilize silicates. SSB have been gathering increasing interest, as rhizospheric silicate solubilization leads to increased potassium and Si uptake, which reduces the need for potash fertilizers.

51The ability to solubilize silicates (to depolymerize crystalline silicate) has been reported in various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Burkholderia eburnea CS4-2, Bacillus sp., Bacillus flexus, Bacillus globisporus, B. mucilaginosus, B. megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens, Burkholderia susongensis sp., Rhizobium sp., Rhizobium yantingense, Rhizobium tropici, and Pseudomonas stutzeri).

52Silicate-solubilizing bacteria can potentially release soluble silica from biogenic materials such as diatomaceous earth, rice husks, rice straw, and siliceous earth, as well as from insoluble, inorganic (Al, Ca, K, and Mg) silicates and silicate minerals such as feldspar and biotite. These bacteria have been isolated from different habitats, such as rice plant rhizospheres, from rice field soil samples, weathered feldspar surfaces, weathered rock surfaces, weathered rock (purple siltstone) surfaces, pond sediments, river water, soils, and talc minerals, potassium mine tailings, quercus petreae oak mycorrhizal roots surroundings, and weathered rocks.

53Some mechanisms which SSB could utilize to release soluble silica from insoluble silicates include: (i) production of organic acids including citric, tartaric, acetic, gluconic, hexadecanoic, malic, oxalic, phthalic, oleic, heptadecanoic, and hydroxypropionic acids, which have metal complexing properties that may bind with aluminum and iron silicates and render silicates soluble, also provide protons (H+) for protonation for silicate hydrolysis; (ii) inorganic acid production (i.e., oxidation of sulfur, reduction of sulfides to sulfuric acid, oxidation of ammonia to nitrates, and conversion of nitrates to nitric acid, which can act on silicates); (iii) synthesis and discharge of carbonic anhydrase that catalyzes the interconversion between carbon dioxide produced by soil microbes and water, and the dissociated ions of carbonic acid, which promotes the microbial conversion of silicate minerals as observed in orthoclase degradation to kaolinite. In addition, CO2 sequestration in basaltic acquifers and the associated carbonate mineralization might maintain an environment suitable for silicate mineral dissolution; (iv) production of siderophores, which bind and transport iron(III) which can play a part in silicate solubilization by scavenging iron from silicate minerals as observed in hornblende degradation; (v) the reduction of sulfates and production of H2S, which reacts with cations like Ca and Fe of silicate minerals forming sulfides and thus rendering silicate solubilization; (vi) absorption and binding of the inorganic silicate ions on bacterial surfaces, due to having ionizable carboxylates and phosphates of lipopolysaccharides in Gram-negative bacteria and peptidoglycan, teichoic acids and teichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria and their high reactivity to the ions, rendering dissolution; (vii) extracellular polysaccharide production, which is implicated in weathering of rocks and breakdown of silicates due to their wetting and drying properties and acting as a sorbent of metal ions (binding silicates and affecting the equilibrium between the fluid and mineral phases, rendering them soluble) during this vital activity. The biofilm formation also solubilizes silicates in their microenvironment; and (viii) alkali production. It is known that SSB can solubilize silicates by shifting the pH of the environment toward alkalinity by decomposing the organic matter and fixing nitrogen, to subsequently form ammonia and amines; and acidolysis, the most commonly found mechanism of silicate mineral weathering. Future research should focus on the yet unknown mineral weathering mechanisms of these bacteria.

54These bacteria, isolated from both plant roots and soil minerals, could also increase the plant Si uptake and therefore Si levels in plants. In one study, it was found that inoculation of japonica rice plants with the SSB strain Burkholderia eburnea CS4-2 increased the Si content in the plants grown on the plant growth substrate including insoluble silicates. In addition, the plant growth attributes (chlorophyll levels, root and shoot lengths, root and shoot fresh weights, etc.) were also improved compared to those of the control and of plants grown on insoluble silica. CS4-2, when applied together with insoluble silica, significantly promoted the growth of rice plants. found that the SSB strain Rhizobium sp. IIRR-1 isolated from the rhizospheric soil around rice plants could colonize and grow on all insoluble silicates, which resulted in increased silica release into the culture media (12.45–60.15% over that of the control). This strain also successfully colonized the roots of rice seedlings and improved their vigor by 29.18% compared to that of the control.

55In addition to providing plants with Si, SSB can also solubilize P and other nutrients like Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and Zn, bound to the silicate minerals from insoluble sources and provide plants with P. The mechanisms for P solubilization are also responsible for the biogenic silicate weathering; namely, the release of extracellular polysaccharides, organic acids, protons, and siderophores. Silicate weathering provides access to minerals that contain P, such as apatite, which are calcium phosphates, and therefore is also related to P solubilization. For example, studies have reported that SSB produce organic acids such as acetic, formic, and gluconic acids during the solubilization of insoluble tri-calcium silicates and other insoluble nutrient sources. The aforementioned studies show that SSB utilization may improve the solubilization of insoluble P and Si, which could ultimately increase the plant P and Si uptake and to substantially improve the plant growth and health. Compared to the studies performed on PSB and other PGPB, very few studies have been conducted to isolate SSB with plant growth-promoting activities from plant-associated soils, likely because SSB only accounts for a low proportion of the total bacteria that exist in soils and silicate minerals.

56The outcome of this review paper may widen research scope for use of Si/nanosilica (or SSB) in combination with AMF and PSB in improving P use efficiency in sustainable agriculture (Figure 4).

57Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide their host plants with P and other nutrients in exchange for photosynthates, by effectively increasing the volume of the soil solution that host plants can acquire minerals from via the hyphae that develop from the roots. AMF prevent the available P from re-precipitating before plants have access, and their capacity to transport P to plants can account for up to 80% of a plant’s total P uptake. However, much of the soil P exists in an insoluble form, and some AMF can only exploit soluble P sources. PSB can solubilize these insoluble P forms and potentially make them available for absorption by AMF hyphae and plants. PSB also increase the AMF hyphal expression Pi transporter genes. In addition to increasing P availability in soils, Si also enhances the expression of plant genes associated with inorganic P absorption under P-deficient conditions. Previous studies, indicate that AMF and PSB, Si and AMF, and Si and PSB synergistically act to more effectively increase the plant uptake of P, improving the growth of different plants more than when each was applied on its own. Accordingly, the use of Si along with these two microbial groups may increase P availability in the rhizosphere.

58Several suggestions and avenues of research would move us closer to adopting this strategy for developing environment-friendly P-biofertilizer to be used as supplements and/or alternatives to chemical P fertilizers:

59It is known that AMF and PSB cooperate, in addition to having synergistic effects. According to AMF and free–living PSB cooperated for mutual benefit by supplying the required carbon or P for each microorganism, though these interactions were dependent on the environmental P availability. This indicates that when using co–inoculation of AMF and PSB, the amount of available P in the soil should be considered;

60AMF hyphae, by secreting certain metabolites such as carbohydrates (e.g., sugars such as galactose, fructose, glucose, and trehalose), carboxylates (e.g., aconitate, citrate, and succinate), and amino acids, only benefit specific microorganisms and inhibit others. The exact mechanisms of these interactions remains to be investigated, although previous research has made suggestions: physical interactions such as the capacity to attach to the hyphae of the AMF, niche competition for nutrients, and AMF hyphal exudation directly and indirectly manipulating the community. In addition, it is important to note that the stimulated microbes positively affect AMF fitness in general;

61It has also been found that relative to other PSB strains, the different bacteria may positively or negatively influence the AMF hyphal growth. Future research should investigate which combination and plant-growth-promoting characteristics are the most affected by fungal secretions, as the knowledge is yet unclear. Furthermore, it should be investigated which soil conditions (available P content, pH, organic matter composition, etc.) lead to the best results in plants when the co–inoculation of AMF and PSB with Si is provided;

62Further research is necessary to identify the different mechanisms with which spore- and AMF hyphae-associated PSB affect plant growth with and without AMF in non-sterile conditions in the field. Evidence to date is still inconsistent regarding significant organic P mineralization by AMF. Continuous monitoring of the characteristics of the different AMF mycelial exudates, and how they interact with the biotic and abiotic environments in situ will also help further the understanding AMF’s ecological roles;

63The relationship between certain soil bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi provides new insights into the design of mixed inoculation, while identifying fungal strains that contain plant growth-promoting endosymbiotic bacteria and mycorrhiza helper bacteria (bacterial communities living strictly associated with AMF spores extraradical mycelium and mycorrhizal roots, in the mycorrhizosphere) evidenced by ACC deaminase activities, IAA production, siderophore production, Pi solubilization, and N2 fixation ability enables new strategies for AMF use. A better understanding of such relationships between certain bacteria and fungi should lead to substantial ecological benefits and contribute to sustainable agriculture;

64To make optimal use of soil microorganisms to maximize the benefits for plant growth and development, future research should investigate how the soil bacteria and fungi interact. Calcareous soils with a high pH and low P availability could benefit greatly from making use of such microorganism interactions;

65Since the coexistence of AMF and PSB in the rhizosphere spans millions of years, numerous interactions should have evolved between the two microorganism groups. The exact mechanisms between AMF and PSB should be identified. It is not clear whether the phosphate-solubilizing ability of any bacteria allows them to attach to the extraradical AMF hyphae;

66Most research has been done using culturable bacteria. Since most bacteria are unculturable, more research is needed dealing with unculturable bacteria in the mycorrhizosphere, which will lead to an improved knowledge of the microbial community and the associated mycorrhizospheric interactions;

67Further research to evaluate the application and the efficacy of AMF, PSB, and SSB (or Si fertilizers) as co–inoculants or as independent inoculants under various environmental stresses on crops fertilized with different low-solubility P sources in real world conditions is necessary, where the survival of AMF, PSB, and SSB, as well as how the mechanisms with which they promote plant growth is affected by competition with the endemic microorganisms, environmental stresses, and soil conditions;

68Further research is necessary to validate the AMF and PSB performance in conjunction with SSB or suitable insoluble silicate sources, as silica itself is considered as agronomically beneficial and its mobilization is always accompanied by the release of other macronutrients and macronutrients that are bound to silicate minerals, under various field conditions and different ecosystems; and

69Because AMF are unable to release phosphatases outside the hyphae, organic P utilization by AMF seems to depend on the presence of other soil microbes. Since different bacterial genera possess different organic P mineralization abilities and multiple plant-growth-promoting characteristics, bacteria are expected to promote plant growth more effectively in comparison to microorganisms that only possess a single plant growth-promoting trait; manipulation of the bacterial community associated with the AMF hyphae (i.e., introduction of superior PSB and SSB into the hyphae) may influence the organic P mineralization and Si uptake processes in plants.

70P is a vital element in crop nutrition. Adverse environmental effects of chemical-based P fertilizers have compelled us to find a sustainable approach for efficient P availability in agriculture to meet the ever-increasing global demand of food. According to the review paper, the use of AMF, PSB, and the addition of Si can be an effective and economical way to improve the availability and efficacy of P. Based on what is known about them, the combination of AMF, PSB, and Si (or SSB) may be utilized as a strategy for improving plant growth in P-deficient soils and minimizing chemical fertilization to exercise sustainable agriculture (Figure 5). The combination can help plants effectively utilize the low-solubility P sources by solubilizing them into utilizable forms that are later absorbed by plants. This may assist in solving problems encountered with the crop production economy and food shortages, which also make the co-inoculation with Si or SSB a promising technique for use in commercial inoculant formulations.

71HE wrote the manuscript. BJ checked and edited the sections related to silicon in this manuscript. BG revised and approved the final version to be published. All the authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

72The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.