The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) Kozhikode has successfully developed a new granular lime-based Trichoderma formulation.
About Trichoderma:
- The formulation named ‘Tricholime’, integrates Trichoderma and lime into a single product, making the application easier for farmers.
- Trichoderma is a fungal biocontrol agent, has proven effective in suppressing several soil-borne plant pathogens and serves as a successful bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer in crop production.
- Recognizing the importance of Trichoderma and the challenges posed by traditional lime applications, the scientists at IISR developed ‘Tricholime’ to integrate lime and Trichoderma.
Significance of Tricholime
- It can successfully eliminate the need for a time-consuming two-step process.
- This lime-based formulation neutralises the soil acidity while promoting plant growth and shields crops from soil-borne pathogens, all in a single application.
- This formulation also benefits the crop by improving the physical condition of the soil, enhancing secondary nutrient availability and by boosting soil microbial activity, he added.
- IISR hopes that the technology behind this product can also be extended to include other beneficial bio-agents, opening new possibilities in product development to support sustainable organic farming.