A major technological advancement in pulse farming promises to enhance crop productivity across India while substantially reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. Agricultural scientists at the Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, have successfully formulated a specialized biological seed treatment combining Rhizobium and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB). Under this technique, pulse seeds are treated with the liquid bacterial mixture prior to sowing. Extensive experimental trials demonstrate that this simple seed treatment boosts overall pulse crop yields by 10 to 15 percent. Significantly, farmers can adopt this high-yielding method without incurring any substantial additional expenditure.
Mitigating DAP Shortages Through Biological Alternatives
The innovation comes at a critical time when farmers across several regions face constraints regarding the availability and rising costs of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer. Dr. GP Dixit, Director of IIPR Kanpur, stated that the research team had been working on perfecting this biological formulation for several years. The research effort gained heightened momentum in response to localized fertilizer supply shortages and the necessity to promote balanced DAP usage. Following successful validation in institute laboratories and experimental trial plots, IIPR has established a comprehensive roadmap to transition the technology from research fields directly to commercial farmland.
Large Scale Demonstrations Across 10 States and 10,000 Acres
To demonstrate the efficacy of the technique and provide hands on guidance to farming communities, scientific teams from IIPR are initiating field trials across 10 major agricultural states. The selected states include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Across these regions, approximately 10,000 acres of farm land have been designated for live field demonstrations. Researchers will monitor the entire crop cycle, evaluating root establishment, nutrient absorption, and final grain yield from the initial seed treatment phase through to harvest.
Target Crops and Implementation Strategy
The initial phase of the field deployment focuses primarily on three essential Kharif pulse crops: Arhar (pigeon pea), Moong (green gram), and Urad (black gram). Upon evaluating the outcomes across these initial varieties, scientists plan to extend the application to other leguminous crops across subsequent growing seasons. The ultimate objective of IIPR is to scale up access to this bio-fertilizer methodology so that smallholder and commercial farmers nationwide can optimize yields sustainably.
Biological Mechanism of Rhizobium and PSB
Explaining the biological action of the microbial mixture, Dr. Akhilesh Mishra, Agronomist in the Pulses Section at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (CSA), highlighted how these beneficial bacteria function symbiotically with crop roots. Rhizobium bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a biologically available form for the plant by establishing small nodules on root systems. Simultaneously, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) mobilize insoluble phosphorus already bound within the soil matrix, rendering it easily absorbable by root networks. The combined application improves overall plant vigor, root depth, and canopy strength, resulting in a predictable 10 to 15 percent boost in final harvested output.
Five Year Overview of India Pulse Production Trends
National pulse production data over the past five financial years reflects varying output levels driven by climatic factors and agricultural inputs. Official figures record total domestic pulse production at 273.02 lakh tonnes during 2021-22. Production registered a decline in 2022-23 to 260.58 lakh tonnes, followed by a further drop to 242.46 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. However, recovery began in 2024-25 as production rebounded to 256.83 lakh tonnes. Most recently, total pulse production reached 274.09 lakh tonnes in 2025-26. Agricultural experts anticipate that widespread adoption of the IIPR seed treatment method will help sustain this positive trajectory and strengthen national food security.
