New earthworm species developed by IVRI to free Brahmaputra basin of wild aquatic plants
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BAREILLY: This will come as good news for the natives of Assam valley and those inhabiting the banks of the Brahmaputra.
A new earthworm species has been developed by the Indian Veterinary
Research Institute (IVRI) that can get rid of the wild aquatic plant Jal
Kumbhi growing on the banks of river Brahmaputra. The plant, whose
scientific name is Pistia Stratiotes, is a big menace in the region
since it spreads its tentacles right upto the river bed and impairs the
movement of fishermen besides causing widespread pollution.
IVRI has recently signed a MOU with IIT Guwahati to free the Brahmaputra basin of the plant's menace. Prof Ranvir Singh of IVRI, who is also an animal breeder, told TOI, "The earthworm - Jai Gopal - has the ability to eat wild vegetation very fast and convert it into organic fertilizer that is suitable for use in farming."
Jai Gopal, which has been given the scientific name Perionyx ceylanesis, can also withstand different temperature variations and survive temperatures ranging from 0 degrees celsius to 43 degrees unlike foreign species such as Icina Fetida and Udilus Ujini which are used by scientists across the globe and can only remain alive at temperatures varying from 15 degrees to 30 degrees.
After the transfer of the technology, a fixed consignment of live earthworms would be handed over to the institution for use, claimed Dr Singh. Tests conducted on Jai Gopal have showed that it can eat both cow dung and weed. As per the MOU, the organic fertilizers produced after the consumption of Jal Kumbhi by the earthworm would be used by tea garden owners in Assam valley to boost the quality of their products and make it more organic.
The earthworm would also benefit the sugarcane industry which is groping in the dark to find ways for effective disposal of waste generated by sugar mills. Waste products rich in phosphorous, calcium, potassium and other minerals would soon be transformed into organic fertilizers once they become fodder for the earthworm.
IVRI has recently signed a MOU with IIT Guwahati to free the Brahmaputra basin of the plant's menace. Prof Ranvir Singh of IVRI, who is also an animal breeder, told TOI, "The earthworm - Jai Gopal - has the ability to eat wild vegetation very fast and convert it into organic fertilizer that is suitable for use in farming."
Jai Gopal, which has been given the scientific name Perionyx ceylanesis, can also withstand different temperature variations and survive temperatures ranging from 0 degrees celsius to 43 degrees unlike foreign species such as Icina Fetida and Udilus Ujini which are used by scientists across the globe and can only remain alive at temperatures varying from 15 degrees to 30 degrees.
After the transfer of the technology, a fixed consignment of live earthworms would be handed over to the institution for use, claimed Dr Singh. Tests conducted on Jai Gopal have showed that it can eat both cow dung and weed. As per the MOU, the organic fertilizers produced after the consumption of Jal Kumbhi by the earthworm would be used by tea garden owners in Assam valley to boost the quality of their products and make it more organic.
The earthworm would also benefit the sugarcane industry which is groping in the dark to find ways for effective disposal of waste generated by sugar mills. Waste products rich in phosphorous, calcium, potassium and other minerals would soon be transformed into organic fertilizers once they become fodder for the earthworm.
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