The abandoned ''Monte-Fresco'' rock phosphate mine in Ta´chira, Venezuela, was sampled to study the biodiversity of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM). Rhizosphere and bulk soils were sampled from colonizer plant species growing at a mined site where pH and soluble P were higher than the values found at a near by unmined and shrubby soil. Counting and isolating of PSM choosing strains showing high solubilization halos in a solid minimal medium with hydroxyapatite as phosphate source were evaluated using ammonia or nitrate as nitrogen sources and dextrose, sucrose, and mannitol as carbohydrate sources. A larger number of PSM were found in the rhizospheric than in the bulk soil. Six fungal strains belonging to the genus Penicillium and with high hydroxyapatite dissolution capacities were isolated from bulk soil of colonizer plants. Five of these strains had similar phenotypes to Penicillium rugulosum IR-94MF1 but they solubilized hydroxyapatite at different degrees with both nitrogen sources. From 15 strains of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of colonizer plants, 5 were identified as diazotrophic free-living encapsulated Azotobacter species able to use ammonium and/or nitrate to dissolve hydroxyapatite with glucose, sucrose and/or mannitol. Different nitrogen and carbohydrate sources are parameters to be considered to further characterize the diversity of PSM.

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ResumenBacterias previamente aisladas, y caracterizadas como diazotróficas y disolventes de fosfatos inorgánicos se evaluaron en campo como promotoras del crecimiento vegetal en la producción de maíz variando las condiciones de fertilidad del suelo. Las cepas MF1b y MF5, en forma individual y en consorcio, se inocularon en semillas de maíz (HIMECA-95), y se sembraron bajo las siguientes condiciones de fertilización química: K, NK, PK, RK, NPK, y NRK (R: roca fosfórica). Al final del ensayo se determinó el peso seco total, y los contenidos de N y de P presentes en el grano para luego calcular el porcentaje de eficiencia agronómica relativa (%EAR). Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la inoculación con la cepa MF5 en forma individual y en consorcio, con una fertilización quimica de NK, incrementaron la EAR del peso seco del grano en 130 y 403%, el contenido de N en 463 y 116%, y el de P en 152 y 376%, respectivamente, logrando un aumento en la producción del grano de maíz y su calidad. Asimismo, se observó una variabilidad en las respuestas de los parámetros evaluados, lo cual podría deberse a los bajos contenidos de N y P del suelo, a los cambios en la fertilidad del suelo por la adición de los fertilizantes de alta solubilidad, y a la interacción entre las comunidades microbianas autóctonas y las bacterias introducidas. Se concluye que la efectividad de los microorganismos con potencial como biofertilizante para la agricultura sea evaluada cuidadosamente bajo diversas condiciones de fertilidad de los suelos.Palabras clave: PGPR, fertilidad del suelo,bacterias diazotróficas, consorcio bacteriano, rendimiento. AbstractBacteria previously isolated, characterized as diazotrophic and inorganic phosphate solubilizers were evaluated under field conditions as plant growth promoters on the maize production when soil fertility was changed. The strains MF1b and MF5, alone and in consortium, were inoculated on maize seeds (HIMECA-95), and these were sown under the following chemical fertility conditions: K, NK, PN, RK, NPK, and NRK (R: phosphate rock). Total dry weight, and N and P contents of the grain were determined at the end of the experiment; also, the % of relative agronomic efficiency (RAE) was calculated. Results showed that inoculation with the strain MF5 alone and in consortium, with the addition of NK fertilizer increased the % RAE in 130 and 403 for the dry weight, in 463 and 116 for the N content, and in 152 and 376 for the P content, respectively, allowing an increase in both production and grain quality. Moreover, it was observed variations among the evaluated parameters which could be related to the low N and P status of the soil, the soil fertility changes after the addition of the highly soluble chemical fertilizers, and the interaction between autochthonous microbial communities and the introduced * Mg en Agronomía. Universidad Nacional Experimental del Táchira, San Cristóbal, Estado Táchira,