Synthetic Biology

Biography

Biography: Pushpa Agrawal

Abstract

The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in commercial farming gives the threat of gradual aggravation of soil fertility. Use of agriculturally important microorganisms in different combinations is the only solution for restoration of soils. The bio-formulations using humic acid with suitable bio-control microorganisms namely, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum have been developed to replace chemical fertilizers. Trichoderma harzianum is a major bio-control agent against a wide range of phyto-pathogenic organism of economically important crops and extensively used in various parts of the world for plant disease management. These bio-control agents are also known to degrade complex organic molecules into simpler molecules which help to improve soil fertility. Humic acid is an organic fertilizer which enhances the plant growth. The bio-organic formulations have been developed for controlling or suppressing of fungal diseases (Fusarium species) as well as to increase the plant growth and yield by increasing the soil fertility in an eco-friendly manner. The present report reveals an additive effect of microorganism with humic acid in both disease management and better plant growth. The results revealed that the Trichoderma harzianum with 2% humic acid based formulation was effective in inhibiting Fusarium growth in vitro. The liquid bio-formulation of humic acid along with the Pseudomonas fluorescens was tested and compared for viability as well as its inhibitory characteristics against Fusarium oxysporum, a fungus which cause wilt of tomato. Cell viability tests were carried out for the bio-formulations by plate count method. Field studies were conducted for two crop varieties-radish and tomato. The results of in vivo and in vitro studies revealed better support for the viable cells as well as leafing and fruit