Director General, Amity Institute of Training and Development (AITD) K. S. Bains claimed that scientists from Amity University Noida have discovered a cultivable mycorrhiza like fungus named Piriformospora Indica (PFSI) which has tremendously increased the crop growth and productivity in cauliflower, capsicum and tomato vegetable crops in hill areas of Himachal Pradesh.
Bains added that national centre of organic farming, an institution of ministry of agriculture Govt., of India has recommended the use of the fungus in all crops as ideal choice especially in horticulture plants, grain crops and vegetables etc Mr. K. S. Bains Director General, told that a team of scientists has conducted successful trials on vegetable crops in Kangra and Kullu districts in varied temperature under which around 125 farmers were provided free samples of the fungus for use in around 150 kanal area crops. He added that field trials on both these places have been successful and the crop yield, quality and productivity have been increased manifold due to use of this fungus. He told that the fungus has also improved the growth and overall biomass production of diverse hosts, including legumes, medicinal and economically important plants.
K. S. Bains also assured that Amity will provide free samples of the fungus to the apple orchardists in Himachal Pradesh for providing safety from the various diseases and also increase content and quality of the apple crops in the state. He told that institute has appointed the Lahaul potato society Manali as its nodal agency for promotion of the fungus among farming community and are in process to appoint more such agencies in the state in near future.
