The very first crop of wheat grown on desert soil in the village of Banseli in the district of Ajmer Rajasthan. | Photo Credit: Special ARRAGNement
For the first time in an arid country using the desert “soil” of soil “soil” powered by indigenous bioformulation, the innovative experiment for wheat growing has the potential to stop the expansion of the Western Rajasthan desert towards the capital region. The process of the case accelerated by the gradual destruction of the scope Aravali.
In the middle of changes in the pattern of precipitation, spreading sand dunes, non -scientific plantation drives, and soil degradation, scientists at the Central University of Rajasthan (CORO) participated in wheat breeding, fought against chances and performed with a harsh desert ecology.
In essence, scientists have modified desert sand into the soil using polymers to harvest full of agricultural potential. After a laboratory experiment with three bioformulations and three crops – Bajra, Guar Gum and Chickpeas – a scientific survey was moved to the agricultural area for wheat growing.
The breakthrough success was achieved with 13 kg of indigenous wheat varieties-4079, which was grown per 1,000 square meters of desert land in Bansel Village near Pushkar in the AJMER district in November 2024. This showed high water efficiency.
Akhil Agrawal, Associate Professor at the Department of Microbiology, which led a group of scientists, said Hindu that bio -formulation developed by a team had increased water retirement, promoted sand particles to improve soil structure, and stimulate beneficial microbial activity that increased the crop resistance.
The crop was harvested in April 2025, which provided 26 kg of wheat per 100 square meters. The ratio of seeds and harvested seeds was 1:20, which was twice in the polymer sand compared to the arid soil zone.
The project was carried out with the support of Krishi Vigian Kendra (KVK) and the Ministry of Gardening of the State Government, which was easier to help scaling at the field level in a real desert environment. KVK officials proposed a plan of layout on the ground, which is located on the edge of the Thar desert.
“This experiment is an example of applied science that turns into a social impact,” said Prof. Agrawal and added that he proved that even infertile desert land could become an agricultural productive using the right biotechnological approach. The research scientist Diksha Kumari, who has implementation in the field, said that reduced water input and healthy growth in crops in the “hostile environment” are important aspects of work.
The number of irrigation cycles was reduced to four bioformulation compared to five to six cycles for normal wheat agriculture, because the solution converted sand into soil structure.
Higher yield
In the second phase, the experimental field was prepared in an area of 400 square feet on the university campus by spreading 100 tons of sand brought from Jaisalmer. Bajra, Guar Rubber and Nickor were tested in a field experiment, where scientists received a 54% higher yield in bio -formulation sand.
Cuor, stimulated by the success of the pilot crop of wheat, plans to expand technology to other crops, such as millet and green gram in dry areas of Rajasthan and on.
Published – 27 September 2025 01:34 IS
