MDU professor gets Rs 25 lakh grant for sustainable wheat farming research

Rohtak: A research project submitted by Vinita Hooda, professor in the department of botany at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, has been approved for financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh by the Haryana State Council for Science, Innovation and Technology (HSCST), Panchkula.The three-year project, titled Mycorrhiza-Microbiome Synergy as a Sustainable Soil Management Strategy for Reducing Fertiliser Use and Enhancing Stress Resilience in Wheat, aims to develop sustainable soil management practices for wheat cultivation.The study will examine how beneficial interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and soil microorganisms can help reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, improve nutrient-use efficiency and enhance the ability of wheat plants to withstand environmental stresses such as heat and drought.Researchers expect the project to contribute to sustainable agriculture, improved soil health and climate-resilient farming practices. It also seeks to develop practical solutions that could help reduce cultivation costs while maintaining or improving crop productivity.Hooda has previously worked in the fields of agricultural nanotechnology, plant physiology, soil health and sustainable agriculture. University officials said the project approval was a significant boost to MDU's research efforts in the area of sustainable agriculture and environmental management.