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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 ayatagriensisderived 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. 
  • 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. 

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