Indian Institute of Spices Analysis develops new granular lime-based formulation

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Analysis, Kozhikode has developed a brand new granular lime-based Trichoderma formulation, a fungal bio-control agent.

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The formulation named ‘Tricholime’, integrates Trichoderma and lime right into a single product, making the appliance simpler for farmers.  Controlling soil acidity is essential for acquiring optimum yields from crops, as extra acidity can have an effect on the provision of important plant vitamins, adversely impacting crop productiveness. Lime has historically been employed to counteract soil acidity, however simultaneous software of Lime and useful microorganisms like Trichoderma shouldn’t be usually really useful. Farmers have to attend for a interval of two to a few weeks earlier than incorporating different useful micro-organisms within the soil. Trichoderma, being a fungal biocontrol agent, has confirmed efficient in suppressing a number of soil-borne plant pathogens and serves as a profitable bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer in crop manufacturing. Recognizing the of Trichoderma and the challenges posed by conventional lime purposes, the scientists at IISR developed ‘Tricholime’ to combine lime and Trichoderma.

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Tricholime can efficiently remove the necessity for a time-consuming two-step course of. This lime-based formulation neutralizes the soil acidity whereas selling plant development and shields crops from soil-borne pathogens, all in a single software, stated R Dinesh, Director, ICAR-IISR, and one of many inventors of this formulation know-how together with V Srinivasan, R Praveena and S J Eapen. This formulation additionally advantages the crop by enhancing the bodily situation of the soil, enhancing secondary nutrient availability and by boosting soil microbial exercise, he added.
IISR hopes that the know-how behind this product will also be prolonged to incorporate different useful bio-agents, opening new potentialities in product growth to help sustainable natural farming.