Amity Scientists conduct Rootonic tests on Paddy and Sugarcane; Fungus Rootonic- Piriformospora Indica, likely to increase productivity and reduce infestation of insects
New Delhi: Amity University Scientists have always worked in laboratories and conducted field experiments to help farmers increase the productivity of crops and reduce the costs. In the same context, Dr. Ajit Varma, Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence , Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University along with his team of researchers have discovered the Fungus Rootonic – Piriformospora Indica. This unique fungus was discovered in labs and then shared with farmers of Aurangabad Ahir Village, Bulandshahr, UP, for the paddy and sugarcane crops. Under the leadership of Dr Amit Kharakwal, Deputy Director, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, a team of 10 faculties and 19 PhD research scholars conducted Paddy Field Trial in 2.5 Acres land in a farmer’s field with and without Rootonic. and obtained positive and better growth results of crops.
Mr. Sudhir Kumar and Mr. Nakul, Agriculturists, used the Rootonic – Piriformospora indica as a trial on Paddy 1509 and Sharbati. It was found that after using this fungus, they saved the cost of spraying insecticide, reduced application of chemical fertilizer and other medicines on the crop . They also observed that along with the better growth of the crop, the development of paddy buds were visible with better quality.
Surendra Yadav, a farmer who used Rootonic in his Sugarcane field, said that he has used it in two types of sugarcane. And found that where the rootonic was used, the crop shows increased length and thickness of sugarcane, and insects were not visible, which destroyed the crop by almost 30%, due to which the expenditure on chemicals and pesticides has come down and it is expected that every year more production will be obtained after harvesting.
On this occasion, a Kisan Symposium involving 78 progressive farmers from neighboring areas of Krishi Vigyan Kendriya participated to look at the positive result on Paddy & Sugarcane. Discussions were held with these farmers and Dr . Amit Kharakwal, Deputy Director, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology; Dr. Naveen Joshi from Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Dr. Aarti Mishra, and other faculty members who provided information to the farmers, alongwith Mr. Rohtash Yadav (Pradhan), Head of Aurangabad Ahir village.
Dr. Amit Kharakwal, Deputy Director, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology said Use of the fungus Rootonic – Piriformospora increases the productivity of food grains and reduces the infestation of insects in the paddy, thereby improving the yield. The quality of the soil keeps on increasing and improving continuously. He added, that after its use, the need for pesticide is greatly reduced, thereby reducing the cost. He said that this unique fungus can also be used in the next cultivation of mustard and wheat. If the yield of mustard is good, then the oil will also be good. Amity’s objective is to increase the production of food grains of the farmers and reduce the cost so that their income is high and always works to solve the problems of the farmers, averred Dr Kharakwal. Amity Scientists also distributed Rootonic packets free of cost to 15 farmers of the village. The rice crop was tested using Amity Biofertilizer HNB9.
Mr. Rohtash Yadav, Pradhan of the Village said today very important information has been provided by the scientists of Amity University and we will definitely get benefit by using this information and Rootonic. Many farmers have used Rootonic in paddy and sugarcane crops and have received excellent positive results which have impressed all of us and its major outcome will be evaluated when the final crop is harvested. He thanked Amity University for its cooperation and urged scientists to work more closely with farmers to yield better crops.