Research Projects

Bananas are a popular fruit worldwide, with India ranking first in banana production. However, the production of bananas is severely affected by diseases, including Fusarium wilt disease, which can lead to yield reductions up to 50%-70%. The disease is now rampant in major banana growing regions of Bihar, a major banana hub in India. Four districts in Bihar (Katihar, Purnia, Vaishali, and Naugachhia police district area in Bhagalpur) are under threat due to the outbreak. To minimize the negative impacts of chemical-based products, bio-based products are essential for increasing crop production, soil fertility, and pest protection in sustainable farming. The integrated application of microbial inoculants such as Trichoderma spp. and organic amendments can help control pest populations and conserve soil fertility and health. Biological management with new bioformulation using Trichoderma spp., vermicompost, and silica-rich waste mushroom substrate may provide broad-spectrum activity, enhance efficacy, and reliability of biological control without genetic engineering. This proposal offers a promising sustainable approach for plant disease and nutrient management by developing a new bioformulation employing Trichoderma biofortified vermicompost and valorised silica-rich waste mushroom substrate on banana plant resistance to Fusarium wilt disease. There have been no systematic studies conducted on this problematic issue in banana growing regions of Bihar, so a study addressing this issue is justified. The study is designed to be carried out in the banana belt of Bhagalpur district, Bihar, to find a solution to the problem discussed above.