Soilification Technology
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: Researchers at the Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) successfully grew wheat on desert land in Ajmer using ‘soilification’ technology.
About Soilification Technology:
• What it is?
• A biotechnology-based method that transforms loose desert sand into soil-like medium suitable for farming. Uses indigenous bioformulations and polymers to improve fertility and water retention.
• A biotechnology-based method that transforms loose desert sand into soil-like medium suitable for farming.
• Uses indigenous bioformulations and polymers to improve fertility and water retention.
• How it works?
• Polymer application: Cross-links sand particles, converting loose sand into structured soil. Bioformulation: Enhances microbial activity, improving nutrient cycling and soil health. Water retention: Creates a binding effect, lowering irrigation requirements. Stress resistance: Strengthens plant tolerance to heat and arid conditions. Crop adaptability: Successfully trialled on wheat, bajra, guar gum, and chickpea.
• Polymer application: Cross-links sand particles, converting loose sand into structured soil.
• Bioformulation: Enhances microbial activity, improving nutrient cycling and soil health.
• Water retention: Creates a binding effect, lowering irrigation requirements.
• Stress resistance: Strengthens plant tolerance to heat and arid conditions.
• Crop adaptability: Successfully trialled on wheat, bajra, guar gum, and chickpea.
• Key Features:
• Water efficient: Reduced irrigation cycles (3–4 vs. 5–6 in normal farming). High yield ratio: Wheat yield recorded at 1:20 (seed to harvest), twice the output of untreated desert land. Low input cost: Uses locally available bio-agents and simple application techniques. Eco-restorative: Converts barren deserts into cultivable farmland without heavy machinery.
• Water efficient: Reduced irrigation cycles (3–4 vs. 5–6 in normal farming).
• High yield ratio: Wheat yield recorded at 1:20 (seed to harvest), twice the output of untreated desert land.
• Low input cost: Uses locally available bio-agents and simple application techniques.
• Eco-restorative: Converts barren deserts into cultivable farmland without heavy machinery.
• Significance:
• Desertification control: Prevents Thar desert expansion towards NCR by restoring soil fertility. Water security: Minimises groundwater use, critical in water-scarce Rajasthan. Food security: Enables cultivation of staples like wheat and millet in arid belts.
• Desertification control: Prevents Thar desert expansion towards NCR by restoring soil fertility.
• Water security: Minimises groundwater use, critical in water-scarce Rajasthan.
• Food security: Enables cultivation of staples like wheat and millet in arid belts.