Technology Details:
This technology is an alternative to existing biofertilizer formulation (talc/ liquid/peat based etc.). The process involves encapsulating any agriculturally important microorganism in a gelatin capsule. The total weight of the biocapsule is only 1g. The process of making the formulation is simple and does not require any sophisticated equipment and conditions except basic facilities. It also reduces the use of inert talc thereby reducing the cost of investment, cost of handling and transport. There are no harmful byproducts and capsules can be stored at room temperature up to 18 months when compared to 3-8 months in case of talc-based formulations. The technology can be used to deliver all kinds agriculturally important microbes viz., N fixers, nutrient solubilizer/ mobilizers, PGPR, fungal spores, biocontrol agents like Trichoderma, Burkholderia etc. to any crop whatsoever. This technique can also be used to store phytopathogens (in repositories) at room temperature. ICAR-IISR has filed patent application for the technology of the invention with title “A novel method of storing and delivering PGPR/microbes through biocapsules” at the Indian Patent Office (Application no. 3594/CHE/2013; date of publication: 27/09/2013; Date of filing of application: 13/08/2013).