Now Reading: Tiruchi farmers urged to spray PPFM to beat drought
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Tiruchi farmers urged to spray PPFM to beat drought
With weak monsoon and low Cauvery storage, Tiruchi agriculture officials are urging farmers to spray Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) on crops. The bacteria, promoted by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, helps crops…
The Story in Brief
With weak monsoon and low Cauvery storage, Tiruchi agriculture officials are urging farmers to spray Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) on crops. The bacteria, promoted by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, helps crops resist water stress for up to 10 days. The department reports encouraging results on sorghum, groundnut and sugarcane in Musiri block. PPFM is being distributed under central subsidy schemes for demonstration plots. The technique was last used a decade ago in paddy during drought.
The Indian Opinion
PPFM spraying is a stopgap, not a solution for rain-fed farms. The agriculture department’s claims rest on small demonstration plots in one block. The real question is whether enough farmers will get timely access to this bacteria, and whether the monsoon will revive before it runs out. Watch the next 10 days’ rainfall: that will decide if 2026 is a drought year.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
