Paddy straw decomposer is not a substitute for no-burningstubble management practices (Financial Express)

Mains Paper 3:Economy 
Prelims level: Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Mains level: 

Context:

• The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed a fungal cocktail that can make paddy straw and stubble soft within about three weeks, and completely degrade it in about seven weeks when mixed with the soil. 
• Delhi’s chief minister has asked chief ministers of neighbouring states to popularise it amongst their farming community so that they don’t clear their fields by burning, before planting wheat for the new season.
• The Union minister of environment, forest and climate change, has said it will be tried out in farms in Delhi and the surrounding states. But is this innovation an alternative to the existing methods of averting stubble burning?

Pusa Decomposer:

• Pusa Decomposer, as it called after the name of the institute’s campus in Delhi, is a mix of seven fungi that produce enzymes to digest cellulose, lignin and pectin in paddy straw. 
• The fungi thrive at 30-32 degree Celsius, which is the temperature prevailing when paddy is harvested and wheat is sown.
• The IARI has commercialised the technology. It has licensed six companies. Two of these are ready to start production, the IARI’s head of the Division of Microbiology, K Annapurna, said.
• The fungi are supplied in four capsules. The starter culture is made by adding the fungi to 50 grams of besan and 150 grams of jaggery in five litres of boiled and cooled water.
• Every two days the starter is fed with jaggery mixed in five litres of water. Twenty-litres of the broth diluted to 500 litres are enough for one hectare.

Is it an alternative to the methods already recommended to avoid the burning of paddy stubble? 

• It is complementary, and not a substitute. Both the IARI and the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) began work on microbial decomposition of paddy straw in 2015 when alternatives to burning were not available. 
• Wheat is planted between the last weeks of October and November. It is a five-month crop. There are late-sown varieties that mature in 130 days. 
• The ideal time is the first week of November for wheat to avoid early summer heat, which can cause premature ripening and shrivelling of grain. 
• A week’s delay in sowing beyond the optimal time results in a reduction of yield by 150 kg an acre, says the PAU’s manual for cultivation of winter crops in the state.
• In 21% of Punjab’s area under paddy, the straw is chopped and mixed in the soil with machines. 
• Soil microbes are quite efficient in digesting the straw, but the fungal spray will add to the microbial population and quicken the job. Whether the incremental benefit justifies the extra cost and effort will have to be studied. 
• The chopping and mixing of straw is done with a rotavator. A newly-introduced machine called the Super Seeder combines the work of a rotavator and a seed drill. Farmers might prefer this machine to the Happy Seeder because they like neat fields.
• There is an apprehension that in fields where straw is mixed with the soil, microbes, including fungi, will compete with plants for nitrogen when they digest the straw. 
• This can affect plant growth and yield. Hence, farmers are advised to apply urea while sowing, and not later at the time of irrigation.

Way forward:

• It is important for farmers to stay on the message, which is that straw is best retained in the field, on the surface. 
• There is a saving in time, cost and emissions. Incorporating the straw in the soil is the second option wheat growers (and the only one for those who plant potato after paddy). 
• Microbial decomposers are complementary, and not an alternative. There are issues like weed management with the retention of straw on the surface. 
• Weeds are developing resistance because of repeated use of the same post-emergence herbicides without rotation. These issues need to be addressed. They don’t invalidate the technology.

Conclusion:

• Pusa Decomposer, as it called after the name of the institute’s campus in Delhi, is a mix of seven fungi that produce enzymes to digest cellulose, lignin and pectin in paddy straw.
• It is important for farmers to stay on the message, which is that straw is best retained in the field, on the surface

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit, consider the following statements:
1. It is being organized by 200 Indian academic institutes and S&T departments, led by Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.
2. The aim of the summit is to bring out a comprehensive roadmap leveraging the expertise and knowledge of global Indian researchers for addressing emerging challenges for universal development.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Mains Questions:

Q.1) Define Pusa decomposer method. What are the benefits of it?