Visva-Bharati Researchers Named New Bacteria 'Pantoea Tagorei'

Visva-Bharati researchers have named the discovered bacteria 'Pantoia Tagorei' in honour of Rabindranath Tagore. This is the first time a living organism has been named after an eminent person. This discovery is important for agriculture and sustainable farming practices.

Pantoea Tagorei discovered under the leadership of Bomba Dam:

• The discovery was made by a team led by Professor Bomba Dam in the Microbiology Laboratory in the Department of Botany.
• The research team detected Pantoea Tagorei bacteria in the soil of Jharia coal mines. The bacteria Pantoea Tagorei exhibits remarkable properties.
• Pantoea Tagorei has the functions of potassium solubilisation, nitrogen replenishment, phosphorus solubilisation and promoting plant growth.
• The team's research findings were recently published in the Indian Journal of Microbiology. It provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of Pantoea Tagorei and its potential applications in agriculture. This publication underlines the importance of this discovery in the scientific community.

Rabindranath Tagore's passion for agriculture:

• The bacteria's name honours Rabindranath Tagore for his dedicated contributions to agriculture promotion.
• Tagore's commitment to advancing agricultural practices was matched by the ability of bacteria to enhance soil fertility and plant growth.
• Pantoea Tagorei serves as a living tribute to the Nobel laureate's contribution to the agricultural sector. 

Uses of Pantoea Tagorei in agriculture:

• Excessive use of chemical fertilisers has led to the degradation of arable land, which has increased the trend towards organic farming.
• Pantoea Tagorei has emerged as a promising solution.
• It not only makes potassium soluble but also supplies nitrogen.
• It solubilises phosphorus and promotes plant growth.
• Initial experiments involving farmers receiving these bacteria have yielded positive results.

Brief biography of Rabindranath Tagore:

• Born: May 7, 1861 in Calcutta.
• Rabindranath Tagore is known by nicknames like 'Gurudev', 'Kaviguru' and 'Vishwakavi'.
• W.B. Yeats called Rabindranath Tagore an outstanding and creative artist of modern India.
• Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, novelist and painter who greatly influenced Indian culture in the West.
• It is believed that Rabindranath Tagore had given Mahatma Gandhi the title of 'Mahatma'.
• Rabindranath Tagore always insisted that unity in diversity was the only possible way for the national integration of India.
• Rabindranath Tagore gave speeches in the Parliament of the World's Religions in the year 1929 and 1937.
• Rabindranath Tagore passed away in Calcutta on August 7, 1941.