University Scientists Are Developing a Biological Drug to Increase Crops Productivity

16:42, October 23, 2019

Research received a comprehensive financial support from Russia and India

Scientists of the Ural Federal, together with colleagues from India, are working on the creation of biofertilizers to improve growth and increase crop productivity. The biological product developed on the basis of biochar (biochar) and metallotolerant rhizobacteria will be used in semi-arid or arid regions of Russia and India contaminated with heavy metals.

To conduct research, a team of scientists from the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of UrFU (INSM) under the guidance of a highly qualified specialist invited from India, Dr. Tripti, together with scientists from the University of Bharatiar (India) led by Professor Rajkumar received financial support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and the Department of Science and Technology of the Government India.

Today, obtaining sufficient quantities of environmentally friendly food products is one of the global challenges facing humanity. Systematic use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in the modern agricultural sector leads to a decrease in soils fertility, their contamination with various pollutants (in particular, heavy metals) and to a deterioration of the water regime, which is especially negatively manifested in semi-arid and arid regions.

“The project is based on a new scientific idea about the possibility of using rhizospheric bacteria isolated from agricultural soils of urbanized drylands,” says Dr. Tripti. - This will stimulate the growth and increase the resistance and productivity of cultivated plants under abiotic stress. It is planned to use a biochar obtained from plant waste as the main carrier substrate for obtaining a biological product. ”

Tons of agricultural waste are generated annually in Russia and India, which creates serious problems for their disposal. In addition, they affect the environment and human health as a result of burial, burning and decomposition. Bioconversion of agricultural plant materials into biochar through pyrolysis is a successful means of managing these wastes, as well as preventing their negative impact on the environment and biota.

“In this regard, the development of biological products based on biochar and metal tolerant drought-resistant rhizobacteria that increase soil fertility, as well as the ability to stimulate plant growth, increase their productivity and resistance to adverse abiotic factors, is of particular relevance,” explains Dr. Tripti. “Use of such biological products will also facilitate the immobilization of metals in the soil and, therefore, prevent their transfer from one trophic level to another.”

Joint research will strengthen scientific contacts between Russia and India, strengthen partnerships between the Ural Federal University and the University of Bharatiara, and facilitate the exchange of experience and resources between the two. This will significantly increase the effectiveness of biotechnological research on the creation of new environmentally friendly biological products and will contribute to their promotion on the world market.