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Bacteria helps battle paddy pest
VATIS UPDATE Part
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Researchers from Khon Kaen University, Thailand, have found that a bacterial species discovered in and named after the premier educational institution is capable of fighting diseases in paddy and wheat. The study reveals that S. osmaniensis shows “antagonistic activity” against rice blast, caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae. It will also help in the production of bio-ethanol and antibiotics.
Streptomyces osmaniensis was discovered during 2010 from the soil collected from Osmania University, India. Rice blast is a major concern for farmers and agricultural scientists alike as it affects paddy yields by about 30 per cent. The study has been published in the Malaysian Journal of Microbiology.