In a path breaking discovery, a team of researchers from Department of Botany, BHU, has identified two Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains that act as potent priming agents, significantly augmenting wheat protection against Spot Blotch. Notably, the team’s research, marking the first of its kind, reveals a remarkable inheritance of this priming effect to the progeny, providing a promising non-pesticide alternative for sustainable crop protection. The findings of this groundbreaking research have been published in the prestigious Q1/Q2 peer-reviewed journal, Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, signalling the significance and credibility of the study. The research team is headed by Dr. Prashant Singh, Assistant Professor, in the Department of Botany.
Spot Blotch, caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, is a devastating foliar disease that poses a significant threat to wheat crops worldwide. Conventional methods of combating the disease often involve the use of chemical pesticides, contributing to environmental concerns and raising questions about the sustainability of crop protection strategies. Dr. Singh and his team focused on identifying biological alternatives to chemical pesticides. Through rigorous experimentation, they isolated two specific PGPR strains that exhibited a remarkable priming effect on wheat plants, significantly enhancing their resistance to Spot Blotch.
The key breakthrough lies in the revelation that the priming effect is not only effective in the treated plants but is inherited by the progeny. This heritability factor suggests a potential long-term solution for wheat protection against Spot Blotch, reducing the dependence on chemical interventions. The discovery holds immense promise for sustainable agriculture by providing a non-pesticide alternative for managing Spot Blotch in wheat crops. With the inherited priming effect, farmers may be able to cultivate crops with enhanced resistance to the disease, reducing the need for chemical inputs and promoting environmental friendly farming practices.
The research team is now exploring avenues for practical applications of its findings, with an emphasis on developing bio formulations that can be easily integrated into existing agricultural practices. The goal is to translate this research into tangible solutions for farmers, contributing to the global effort for sustainable and eco-friendly crop protection.
This research marks a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable agriculture, offering a promising alternative to traditional pesticide-dependent approaches. The inherited priming effect opens new doors for resilient crop protection, signalling a brighter and more sustainable future for wheat cultivation.
