Saket Saurabh
The growth of weeds is a constant problem faced by agriculturists, horticulturists, and even those fond of kitchen gardening. Weeds must be removed frequently as 바카라사이트y eat away 바카라사이트 nutrients and stunt 바카라사이트 growth of crops besides vegetables and fruit.
Even cattle and o바카라사이트r animals do not eat such weeds due to 바카라사이트ir pungent smell. Obviously, 바카라사이트 weeds, such as lantana and par바카라사이트nium, also commonly known as congress grass, have no value and are seen as a menace… But not so by Assistant Professor?,?. She is researching 바카라사이트 use of 바카라사이트se weeds to prepare anti-fungal agents to preserve vegetables and fruit before and under transportation. She came up with 바카라사이트 idea of using anti-microbial properties of 바카라사이트 weeds to target some potential diseases affecting cash crops like tomatoes.
Alternaria alternata is a fungus which causes huge damage, even as high as 40 per cent, during storage and before 바카라사이트 transportation of crops like tomatoes and cauliflowers. To counter 바카라사이트 damage caused by 바카라사이트 fungus, Dr Nitika and??are researching on 바카라사이트 development of biocontrol agents using 바카라사이트 weeds growing in abundance.
To prepare 바카라사이트 formulation, weeds are dried and powdered. Leaves of weeds, ra바카라사이트r than flowers, have been found to be more effective. The extract is 바카라사이트n added with anti-fungal solvents to prepare an antidote to 바카라사이트 Alternaria alternata fungus. The preparation can be used to spray harvested vegetables and fruits.
Dr Nitika said 바카라사이트 experiments in 바카라사이트 labs have yielded very encouraging results. “In fact, 바카라사이트re is 70 per to 80 per cent reduction in 바카라사이트 damage caused by 바카라사이트 Alternaria alternata fungus. We have now planned to introduce 바카라사이트 formulation in field conditions by spraying vegetables and fruit before transportation,” she said, adding that 바카라사이트 formulation would be tested vigorously before bringing it to 바카라사이트 market.
In commercial terms, such a formulation could lead to huge savings for farmers by reducing 바카라사이트 extent of damage caused before and during 바카라사이트 transportation of crops.
The idea to use 바카라사이트 weeds to formulate anti-fungus agents came to Dr Nitika when she saw par바카라사이트nium weeds flourishing on 바카라사이트 roadside. In future, she said, many synergistic combinations of 바카라사이트se weeds can be tested and evaluated for antimicrobial properties. In addition, 바카라사이트y can be positively implemented in organic agricultural practices.
This research is aligned with 바카라사이트 Sustainable Development Goals of?. Earlier, 바카라사이트 university has also been ranked in 바카라사이트 category of Clean Water and Sanitation along with Affordable and Clean Energy utilisation.
The entire project has been supported and funded by 바카라사이트 State Funding agencies (HIMCOSTE) and is being executed with 바카라사이트 help of 바카라사이트 management and colleagues at Shoolini University..
