Soil pollution is a big problem for farming, as it can harm crops. Scientists at IIT Bombay have found a natural solution using special bacteria that can clean up the soil and help plants grow.
Here's a simple explanation:
The Problem: Soil can be contaminated with harmful chemicals that prevent seeds from growing and damage plants. Traditional cleanup methods are often not very effective.
The Solution: Scientists found specific types of bacteria that can break down these harmful chemicals. These bacteria belong to groups called Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter.
How do the bacteria work?
They eat pollution: The bacteria consume the harmful chemicals and turn them into harmless substances.
They provide nutrients: They change forms of phosphorus and potassium in the soil into forms that plants can use. They also help plants absorb iron.
They help plants grow: They produce a growth hormone called indoleacetic acid (IAA) that helps plants develop.
They fight fungal diseases: They produce substances that kill harmful fungi, acting as a natural pesticide.
What are the benefits?
Cleaner soil
Healthier plants
Increased crop yields (by 45-50% in some tests)
A natural way to fight fungal diseases instead of using harmful chemicals
What's next? Scientists want to make these bacteria into easy-to-use products for farmers. They need to do more testing in different environments to make sure they work well everywhere.
In simple terms: Scientists have found helpful bacteria that can clean up polluted soil, provide nutrients to plants, and even protect them from diseases. This is a natural and environmentally friendly way to improve farming