Plant Phosphorus Acquisition and Phytochemical Enhancement: A Synergistic Effect of Phytate-Intercalated Zn–Fe Layered Double Hydroxide and Phytase-Producing Rhizobacteria

Agronomic phosphorus (P) management faces critical challenges due to depleting mineral reserves and soil fixation, rendering it largely plant-unavailable. This entails the development of efficient nutrient management systems for improved phosphorus acquisition utilizing alternative P sources. This study investigates a novel synergistic effect of phytate-intercalated layered double hydroxide material as a sole slow-release P source, combined with phytase-producing rhizobacteria (PPRB) inoculation to enhance plant P nutrition and overall phytochemical enrichment in tomato plant (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>). Pot study conducted in sterile soil with phytate-LDH dosage equivalent to 100 mg P kg^1- soil, post root inoculation of the bioprimed seedlings resulted in enhanced growth parameters, increased P uptake, and soil available P. This treatment further resulted in lowering of the plant stress profile signified by reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The positive synergistic response could also be observed in the alternation of the metabolic pathway depicted from elevated crude protein levels and catalase activity.