BHU Researchers Unveil Groundbreaking Non-Pesticide Alternative for Wheat Crop Protection

A research team led by Prashant Singh from the Department of Botany at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize crop protection methods. The team has identified two strains of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) with potent priming abilities, significantly enhancing wheat's resistance against Spot Blotch, a devastating foliar disease.

Published in the prestigious Q1/Q2 peer-reviewed journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, the research marks a significant milestone in sustainable agriculture by providing a promising non-pesticide alternative for crop protection.

Spot Blotch, caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, poses a severe threat to wheat crops globally. Traditional methods of combating the disease often involve the use of chemical pesticides, raising environmental concerns and questions about the sustainability of such practices. The BHU research team, therefore, focused on identifying biological alternatives to chemical interventions.

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Through rigorous experimentation, the researchers isolated two specific PGPR strains that demonstrated a remarkable priming effect on wheat plants, substantially increasing their resistance to Spot Blotch. What sets this breakthrough apart is the revelation that the priming effect is not only effective in the treated plants but is also inherited by the progeny. This heritability factor suggests a potential long-term solution for wheat protection against Spot Blotch, reducing the reliance on chemical interventions.

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Prashant Singh underscored the importance of the discovery, noting, "The crucial advancement stems from the realization that the priming effect not only benefits the treated plants but is passed on to the succeeding generations." This inherited priming effect offers considerable potential for sustainable agriculture, enabling farmers to grow crops with heightened resistance to Spot Blotch, thereby lessening dependence on chemical inputs and fostering eco-friendly farming practices.

Looking ahead, Singh and his team are exploring practical applications of their findings, with a focus on developing bio formulations that can be seamlessly integrated into existing agricultural practices. This innovative approach could pave the way for a paradigm shift in crop protection, offering farmers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to combat foliar diseases in wheat crops.

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