West Bengal
Bacillus ayatagriensis: New Soil Bacteria Species
- 30 Jun 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Researchers at Raiganj University in Bengal have discovered a new species of soil bacteria that shows powerful antimicrobial activity and the ability to enhance seed germination, offering promise for sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture.
Key Points
- About the Bacteria:
- Bacillus ayatagriensis – derived from “Aayat” (from Sanskrit Ayata, meaning extended or vast) and “Krishi” (meaning agriculture), symbolizing its potential contribution to sustainable farming.
- Researchers isolated the newly discovered bacterium from the rhizosphere of mulberry plants, which play a vital role in the region’s sericulture and farming systems.
- The study, focuses on applied microbiology and its impact on sustainable agriculture.
- Sericulture:
- It is the process of farming silkworms to make silk. Silkworms are raised on mulberry, oak, castor, and arjun leaves.
- After about a month, they spin cocoons. These cocoons are collected and boiled to soften the silk.
- The silk threads are then pulled out, twisted into yarn, and woven into fabric.
- This careful process turns small silkworms into shiny silk.
- Silk production in India:
- India is the second-largest producer and consumer of silk globally.
- India's raw silk production increased from 31,906 MT in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24.
- The area under mulberry plantations grew from 223,926 ha in 2017-18 to 263,352 ha in 2023-24.
