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    Teri Micorisa

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    This document summarizes the activities of a centre focused on mycorrhizal technology. The centre has several thrust areas including environmental conservation, mass inoculum production, and establishing agricultural plants with mycorrhizal fungi. Major projects involve producing inoculum at scale and demonstrating integrated organic farming. The centre works with government agencies, corporations, and international partners and has greenhouse and laboratory infrastructure to support its work.

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    Teri Micorisa

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    biodieselnet
    345 views7 pages
    This document summarizes the activities of a centre focused on mycorrhizal technology. The centre has several thrust areas including environmental conservation, mass inoculum production, and establishing agricultural plants with mycorrhizal fungi. Major projects involve producing inoculum at scale and demonstrating integrated organic farming. The centre works with government agencies, corporations, and international partners and has greenhouse and laboratory infrastructure to support its work.

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    This document summarizes the activities of a centre focused on mycorrhizal technology. The centre has several thrust areas including environmental conservation, mass inoculum production, and establishing agricultural plants with mycorrhizal fungi. Major projects involve producing inoculum at scale and demonstrating integrated organic farming. The centre works with government agencies, corporations, and international partners and has greenhouse and laboratory infrastructure to support its work.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    345 views7 pages

    Teri Micorisa

    Uploaded by

    biodieselnet
    This document summarizes the activities of a centre focused on mycorrhizal technology. The centre has several thrust areas including environmental conservation, mass inoculum production, and establishing agricultural plants with mycorrhizal fungi. Major projects involve producing inoculum at scale and demonstrating integrated organic farming. The centre works with government agencies, corporations, and international partners and has greenhouse and laboratory infrastructure to support its work.

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    of 7

    Thrust areas Technology transfer

    Major activities/flagship projects Patents


    Select clients/partners/stakeholders Services offered
    Infrastructure facilities

    Thrust areas

    The Centre offers mycorrhizal technology as a biological and eco-friendly means of


    promoting plant growth at a low cost with a minimum input of chemical fertilizers. It's
    thrust areas include:

    Environmental conservation and pollution abatement, including reclamation


    of fly ash overburdens and other wastelands by integrated mycorrhizal
    organo-biofertilizer inputs
    Wastelands are drastically disturbed lands where native vegetation and animal
    communities have been removed and the top soil has been lost, altered or buried.
    Examples of wastelands are areas that have been surface-mined for minerals (coal,
    paoline, bauxite, gravel, sand etc.), mining wastes, or have had the top soil removed
    for use elsewhere creating 'borrow pits'. Wastelands also include sites which have
    saline, acidic or calcareous soils, and soils that have been eroded by wind and water.
    The natural rehabilitation of such lands is a gradual and slow process.

    The Centre is making efforts to expedite the recovery of such areas using mycorrhizal
    biofertilizers.

    Mass inoculum production


    The Centre offers the mass production of viable, healthy, genetically pure, and high-
    quality fungal propagules. The technology is commercially viable and has been tested
    on different crops and forestry plantations in several edapho-climatic regions to prove
    its wide applicability. Two significant features of this technology are:

    It permits the standardization of large-scale production technology and distribution of


    viable inocula, which will assist in the transfer of technological knowledge to the grass
    roots level;
    It offers a promosing alternative for the production of AM inocula free of pathogens
    using Ri T-DNA transformed roots. It has obvious advantages over other systems,
    permitting observation of fungal morphology and development in vitro.

    Establishment of agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural plant species with


    enhanced yields without using chemical fertilizers
    Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can utilize phosphorus (P) present at extremely low
    soil concentrations and even from unavailable sources of P, thereby providing an
    alternative to costly and polluting phosphate fertilizers. Plants inoculated with AM fungi
    have increased P concentrations and growth. However, the extent of benefits imparted
    by AMF to plants depends upon the plant-fungal combination. The Centre examines
    hundreds of AM fungi and determine their preference for vegetable and fodder crops,
    flowers and trees.

    Conservation of mycorrhizal germplasm


    A germplasm bank of mycorrhizal cultures is the largest of its kind in Asia and was
    established in 1994 at TERI's field station in Gual Pahari. This facility provides
    researchers in commercial and non-commercial sectors specific cultures of their
    interest. The facility is well-equipped to preserve the germplasm available in the
    country and elsewhere. Cultures have been collected from 12 of 20 different agro-
    ecological zones in the country. The bank has an impressive collection of over 450
    isolates of mycorrhizal fungi.

    Major activities/Flagship projects

    Mass inoculum production


    The application of mycorrhiza on a large scale is limited by the nature of its
    proliferation which is strictly biotrophic. TERI has developed technology for the mass
    production of mycorrhiza by exploiting genetically modified host roots using the
    bacterium Agrobacterium rhizogenes carrying the Ri T-DNA plasmid. This method
    allows a huge recovery of inoculum in very short time span and using very little space
    compared to conventional modes of multiplication in pots.

    The technology is commercially viable and has been tested with support from the
    Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. It offers a biological means of
    assuring plant health in a profitable and ecologically sound manner.

    Environmental conservation and pollution abatement


    The Centre works towards technologies directed at addressing the problematic area of
    active/abandoned fly ash ponds. The group has demonstrated the reclamation of fly
    ash using specific microorganisms at Badarpur, Delhi and at Korba, Chattisgarh,
    without amending good earth and without using chemical fertilizers. (For more
    information please see the case study)

    Sustainable agriculture
    The Centre is actively involved in activities related to sustainable agriculture. The
    integrated use of organic manure and mycorrhizal biofertilizers has been found to work
    wonders in agricultural fields. The Centre has specific mycorrhizal fungi for vegetables
    (onions, potatoes, etc.) fodder crops (barseem, lucerne, sorghum, etc.), flowers
    (marigold, gladiolus, aster, etc.), trees (eucalyptus, poplar, etc.). The presence of
    mycorrhizal fungi has been found to increase yields by 30%-50%.
    The project, "Integrated nutrient management in poplar-eucalyptus based sustainable
    agroforestry system" funded by the DBT, Government of India, was carried out by
    TERI.
    In this project beneficial microbes including mycorrhizal fungi, were integrated with
    inorganic fertilizers and manure (INM approach) in a poplar-eucalyptus based
    agroforestry system with wheat-pulse rotation.

    Efficient management of fertilizer manure and biofertilizer application for achieving


    higher productivity - The optimum combination of inorganic and organic manure was
    identified for achieving higher plant production with attractive cost economics. Field
    trials were conducted on the wheat-pulse rotation. The application of mycorrhizal fungi
    resulted in a significant improvement of the overall yield scenario. These findings can
    now be passed on to farmers in the region.
    Soil health improvement - The nutrient budgeting was also worked out from the
    demonstrated model; optimized doses of manure, fertilizers and biofertilizer
    contributed to improved nutrient gain and productivity. Both these help in achieving
    sustainable crop production.

    The project, "Demonstration of integrated organic farming using VAM fungi in aromatic
    plants namely Cymbopogon winterianus, C. martinii and Polianthes tuberosa", funded
    by DBT, carried out at TERI
    Various types of decomposed organic waste were tested and the microbes enumerated.
    Some functional properties of microorganisms isolated from mature composts were
    also tested. AM isolates collected from target species, organically rich and heavy metal
    polluted areas and Centre for Mycorrhizal Culture Collection (CMCC) were mass
    multiplied. Compost doses for enhanced crop production of target plant species were
    optimized and finally, a compost-AM fungus combination was arrived at for the
    development of an organo-biofertilizer for Cymbopogon spp. and Polianthes tuberosa.

    Biodiversity studies
    The diversity of AMF is studied in different agroclimatic regions of India to identify
    fungi for potential use in sustainable agriculture. Isolates in one agro-climatic region do
    not necessarily perform well in other regions. Thus, the study of biodiversity,
    distribution and diversity pattern of AM fungi in different agro-climatic regions is
    important.

    Ex situ conservation and long-term storage of mycorrhizal germplasm


    Conservation of mycorrhizae is the first step in the overall conservation process, and
    begins with the procurement of germplasm and its documentation.
    The main objectives of the germplasm bank are:
    To identify and procure promising isolates of both ecto- and endo- mycorrhizal fungi
    To screen promising native AM fungi
    To maintain selected AM and EM fungi permanently
    To provide cultures on request.

    In the process of developing methodology for effective storage, a technique has been
    successfully developed for obtaining a workable protocol for lyophilizing mycorrhizal
    fungal species for long term storage in the mycorrhizal germplasm bank. (For more
    information please see Centre for Mycorrhizal Culture Collection)

    Select clients/partners/stakeholders

    Government agencies

    Department of Biotechnology
    Department of Science & Technology
    Ministry of Environment & Forests
    Fly Ash Mission

    Corporate sector

    National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)


    Associated Alcohols & Breweries Limited (AABL)
    Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL)
    Rameshwar Industries
    KCP Sugar & Industries Corpration Limited
    Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited

    International Bi-lateral agencies

    SDC (Swiss agency for development and cooperation)


    IFCPAR (Indo-french centre for the promotion of advanced research)

    Infrastructure facilities

    Greenhouse
    We have four greenhouses to meet our requirements: one for maintaining the cultures
    from different agro-ecological zones, the second for multiplication of the selected
    promising inoculum and the third and fourth for raising experiments. An autoclave
    room is situated close to the greenhouse for sterilizing the growth media to be used for
    raising the cultures. Washing facilities are located nearby.

    Containers used for pot cultures:


    100 ml plastic pots
    150 ml containers
    300 ml or 500 ml deepots
    1500 ml plastic pots
    10000 ml cement pots
    100ml pots are used only for assessing the Inoculum Potential (IP) of the inoculum and
    150 ml pots are used for increasing the inoculum in the initial stages. For producing
    inocula in bulk, trap plants are raised in pots.

    Laboratories

    Microscope laboratory
    Spores and mycorrhizal roots are studied microscopically. We have three compound
    microscopes (Olympus BH2 model equipped with UV and fluorescence optics, Leica
    Galen III and Olympus CH) and two stereomicroscopes (Leica Wild M10 and Leica
    Zoom 2000).

    Both the stereo- and compound microscopes have photographic camera attachments.
    Our image analyser system (Quantimet 500+, Leica) used to produce photovouchers
    or images consists of a CCD camera which can be positioned on the Olympus
    microscope BH2 or Leica Wild M10. A colour printer is there to make hard copies of the
    images.

    Molecular biology laboratory


    In the molecular biology laboratory, we have facilities for lyophilization (lyophilizer),
    shaking (lab shaker with temperature control), gel run (electrophoretic unit), gel
    drying (gel dryer), observation and photography of the gel (Gel ManagerTM
    documentation system with the rewuired software and CCD camera, (Biosystematica,
    UK), PCR cycling (Robocycler 40, Stratagene, USA) and DNA sequencing (Sequencer,
    Life Technologies).

    Soil testing laboratory


    In the soil testing laboratory, soil samples are analysed by using standardized methods
    for pH, total soluble salts (as determined by electrical conductivity), organic C, total N,
    available P and available K. We also have facilities for assessing physical properties of
    soil (particle density, bulk density, maximum water holding capacity, moisture retention
    characteristics) as well as analysis of trace and heavy metals (atomic absorption
    spectrophotometer). The instruments in the soil laboratory include a digital flame
    photometer (CL 22D), thermocenter (Salvis), cyclomix (BS lab), spectrophotometer
    (SpectronicR 20 GenesysTM ) and centrifuge (Labofuge, 200).

    Clean area
    We have three laminar flow cabinets, used for the in vitro culture of arbuscular
    mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, maintenance of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal cultures and the
    culture of other microbes.

    Storage of cultured inocula


    Storage of AM inocula
    The pot contents are allowed to dry in situ after harvesting and then placed intact (or
    broken into segments as large as possible) in plastic ziploc bags and stored in a cold
    room.

    Storage of EM cultures
    EM cultures are maintained in MMN medium in a petriplate which are incubated in a
    BOD incubator at 25oC. EM culture discs are also stored in sterile distilled water at 4oC
    in cold room.

    Voucher specimens
    Voucher specimens are material representations which can be interpreted by present
    and future biologists. We are in the process of making voucher specimens for AM fungi.
    We have a collection of hardcopy photographs of AM fungi and have started making
    slides and digital photographs of different species of AM fungi.

    Growth room
    A growth room has been set up for mass inoculum production of AM fungi in vitro.

    Technology transfer

    In vitro mass production technology of AM fungi to Cadila Pharmaceuticals,


    Ahmedabad
    In vitro mass production technology of AM fungi to KCP Sugars, Hyderabad
    On-farm production technology to Rameshwar Industries Ltd., Raipur.

    Patents

    Lyophilization of EM fungi
    Lyophilization of AM biofertilizer
    Mass production AM technology using ROC
    Improved techniques of mass production of AM fungi

    Services offered

    Physical and microbiological characterization of fly ash and soil samples


    Macro and micronutrient analyses
    Heavy metal analyses
    Tests for suitability of site for agriculture-related activities
    Alleviation of metal toxicity by initiating agri-horticultural activities
    Consultancy services for rehabilitation of fly ash affected sites
    Consultancy services for setting up laboratory/production facility for mycorrhiza
    Carrier formulations of biofertilizer micro-organisms
    Germplasm/starter cultures of mycorrhiza biofertilizer
    Pilot production facilities of mycorrhiza biofertilizer
    Efficient inoculants for agri-horticultural and forest plant species
    Training in mycorrhizal research
    Identification of mycorrhizal isolates
    Mycorrhizal culture deposition, maintenance and multiplication
    Mycorrhiza Network makes available to researchers the growing literature on
    mycorrhiza and facilitates information-sharing among members. A database is
    operational for information retrieval and supply to researchers. (For more information
    please see Mycorrhiza Network web site)

    For further information, please contact


    Dr Alok Adholeya
    Director, Biotechnology and Management of Bioresources
    Division

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