Crops breathe better when photosynthetic bacteria get to work
After spending more than 30 years researching local photosynthetic bacteria, a Kasetsart University researcher has discovered their benefits for agricultural productivity and has already applied her research commercially, by licensing the intellectual property to a private company.
The licensing transfers the knowledge from Napawan Nopparataraporn, owner of the research project, to Adinop Co, with the licence valued at Bt700,000 for two years. Under the plan, the company will establish a pilot plant for production of photosynthetic bacteria. The initial objective is to develop photosynthetic bacteria in a pilot plant. Napawan said not only could photosynthetic bacteria be used to cure and eliminate waste matter, but also to increase the productivity of agricultural products, especially by enhancing rice yields. The research found that photosynthetic bacteria can contribute to the efficiency of rice production, with outputs 20-30 per cent higher. The researcher said that photosynthetic bacteria, found throughout the country, are the result of the synthesis of sugar by light, carbon dioxide and water, with oxygen as a waste product. As soil in areas of rice growth is in a non-oxygenated condition, it encourages anaerobic bacteria to grow. They create hydrogen-sulphide gas, which can inhibit the normal metabolism of rice roots. Putting photosynthetic bacteria into soil helps turn hydrogen-sulphide into a sulphur compound that is anti-toxic for rice. As a result, rice roots and plants can enjoy healthy growth. Adinop managing director Chutinun Snunsieng said that with the benefits of photosynthetic bacteria, the company planned to build a pilot plant to produce the bacteria for commercial use. Photosynthetic bacteria will be nourished with molasses in tanks with temperature, atmosphere and pH under close control for two days. The bacteria produced at the plant will be used in field tests at a rice research centre in Pathum Thani province and various jasmine-rice fields. The benefits of the project will include increasing the value of waste matter from the sugar industry, to help rural folk enhance production capability and income; increasing the price of agricultural goods nourished by biofertiliser; and encouraging new investments and new businesses in the agricultural sector. "The company plans eventually to produce the photosynthetic bacteria for export as well as encourage local rice farmers to increase production of jasmine rice for export," said Chutinun.
Asina Pornwasin The Nation
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