Indian patent for Pantnagar University technique: Trichoderma to be made from rice-husk biochar and jaggery, to help control soil-borne crop diseases

A new technique for making Trichoderma developed by scientists at Pantnagar's Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology has received an Indian patent. According to Amar Ujala, it was developed by Dr Nandani Shukla of the plant pathology department and former professor and vice-chancellor Dr J Kumar. It allows Trichoderma to be produced on a large scale by adding jaggery to biochar made from rice husk. Trichoderma is a useful biocontrol fungus used to control soil-borne plant diseases and improve plant health. This could open the way to less dependence on chemicals in farming. Vice-Chancellor Dr SK Kashyap said that if effective production, quality control and wide use are ensured, it could become a useful option for farmers. The report does not say when it will reach farmers or at what price.