Description

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Context:

Researchers at Bengal’s Raiganj University recently discovered a new species of soil bacteria named Bacillus ayatagriensis.

About the Bacillus ayatagriensis:

Aspect	Details
Etymology	Derived from “Aayat” (Sanskrit Ayata, meaning “extended” or “vast”) and “Krishi” (meaning “agriculture”)
Source of Isolation	Rhizosphere of mulberry plants
Significance	Potential contribution to sustainable farming practices
Research Focus	Applied microbiology and its impact on sustainable agriculture
Sericulture – Definition	Farming of silkworms to produce silk
Silkworm Feed	Leaves of mulberry, oak, castor, and arjun trees
Silk Production Process	Silkworms spin cocoons → Cocoons boiled → Silk threads extracted, twisted, and woven
India’s Global Rank	The 2nd largest producer and consumer of silk
Raw Silk Production (India)	Increased from 31,906 MT (2017–18) to 38,913 MT (2023–24)
Mulberry Plantation Area	Grew from 223,926 ha (2017–18) to 263,352 ha (2023–24)

ALSO READ- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/gm-cotton#:~:text=Strains%20of%20the%20bacterium%20Bacillus,to%20other%20forms%20of%20life.

Source: TOI

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which newly discovered soil bacterium, named after Sanskrit words related to agriculture, was isolated from the rhizosphere of mulberry plants and is linked to sustainable farming?

Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus ayatagriensis
Bacillus subtilis
Bacillus cereus

Answer: B

Explanation:

The newly discovered soil bacterium, Bacillus ayatagriensis, is named after Sanskrit words and is linked to sustainable farming. It was isolated from the rhizosphere (the area around plant roots) of mulberry plants. The name "Aayatagriensis" is derived from the Sanskrit words "Ayata" (meaning extended or vast) and "Krishi" (meaning agriculture), reflecting its potential contribution to sustainable agriculture.