Visva-Bharati Researchers Discover Bacteria Named After Rabindranath Tagore

A team of researchers from Visva-Bharati University’s botany department has made a groundbreaking discovery that has the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices. They have identified a new bacteria strain capable of boosting plant growth and named it ‘Pantoea Tagorei’ in honor of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Immense Potential for Reducing Fertilizer Use and Boosting Crop Yields

The lead researcher, Dr. Bomba Dam, an assistant professor at the university’s botany department, believes that Pantoea Tagorei has the potential to significantly reduce the need for commercial fertilizers. This could lead to cost savings for farmers and boost crop yields. The Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) has officially recognized the discovery, and the findings have been published in the Indian Journal of Microbiology.

Why Name it After Tagore?

Dr. Dam explained that the decision to name the bacteria after Tagore was inspired by the poet’s visionary agricultural pursuits. Tagore was a vocal advocate for sustainable farming practices and believed in the importance of promoting self-sufficiency in food production. Naming the bacteria Pantoea Tagorei is a way of honoring Tagore’s legacy and his contributions to agriculture.

How Does Pantoea Tagorei Work?

Pantoea Tagorei is a plant-growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). PGPBs are a type of bacteria that live in the soil around plant roots and form a symbiotic relationship with the plants. They provide the plants with essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and help them to resist diseases and pests.

The Future of Pantoea Tagorei

The discovery of Pantoea Tagorei is a significant step forward in the development of sustainable agricultural practices. More research is needed to fully understand the potential of this bacteria, but it is clear that it has the potential to make a major impact on the way we grow food.

Additional Information

• The research team was led by Dr. Bomba Dam and assisted by research scholars Raju Biswas, Abhijit Mishra, Abhinav Chakraborty, Pooja Mukhopadhyay, and Sandeep Ghosh.
• The findings were published in the Indian Journal of Microbiology.
• The Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) has officially recognized the discovery.

Important Questions Related to Exams

1. What is Pantoea Tagorei, and what makes it a groundbreaking discovery?

Pantoea Tagorei is a newly identified strain of bacteria discovered by researchers from Visva-Bharati University’s botany department. It is a plant-growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) with the potential to boost plant growth, reduce the need for commercial fertilizers, and increase crop yields, making it a groundbreaking discovery in the field of agriculture.

2. Who led the research team that discovered Pantoea Tagorei?

The research team was led by Dr. Bomba Dam, an assistant professor at Visva-Bharati University’s botany department. The team also included research scholars Raju Biswas, Abhijit Mishra, Abhinav Chakraborty, Pooja Mukhopadhyay, and Sandeep Ghosh.

3. How does Pantoea Tagorei contribute to sustainable agriculture?

Pantoea Tagorei is a plant-growth promoting bacteria that forms a symbiotic relationship with plants. It provides essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus to plants, helping them resist diseases and pests. The bacteria’s potential to enhance plant growth can lead to reduced reliance on commercial fertilizers, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.

4. Why was the bacteria named ‘Pantoea Tagorei,’ and what inspired the choice of name?

The decision to name the bacteria ‘Pantoea Tagorei’ was inspired by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s visionary agricultural pursuits. Tagore advocated for sustainable farming practices and emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency in food production. Naming the bacteria after Tagore is a tribute to his legacy and contributions to agriculture.

5. Has the discovery of Pantoea Tagorei been officially recognized?

Yes, the Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) has officially recognized the discovery of Pantoea Tagorei. The findings of the research have been published in the Indian Journal of Microbiology.