Pantoea Tagorei: Visva-Bharati researchers name a bacteria after Rabindranth Tagore that helps plants

In an interesting development, a team of researchers from Kolkata's Visva-Bharati, led by Bomba Dam, an assistant professor at the Microbiology Laboratory in the Department of Botany, has identified a new species of bacteria with unique properties beneficial for plant growth. The bacteria has been named Pantoea Tagorei in homage to Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who had a profound interest in promoting agriculture, a TOI report stated.

Explaining the decision to name the bacteria after Tagore, Dam told TOI, "This is the first time any living thing has been named after him." The research team, comprising Raju Biswas, Arijit Misra, Sandip Ghosh, Abhinaba Chakraborty, and Puja Mukherjee, made this groundbreaking discovery from soil samples collected in the Jharia coal mines. The findings have recently been published in the Indian Journal of Microbiology.

Dam pointed out the escalating use of chemical fertilizers rendering the land unusable for cultivation, prompting a shift towards organic farming. The Pantoea Tagorei bacteria not only solubilizes potassium but also replenishes nitrogen and solubilizes phosphorus. Moreover, it exhibits properties that can enhance plant growth. "Through analysis, it was found out that it was a new species," added Dam. The team has conducted experiments by introducing this bacteria to farmers, who have expressed satisfaction with the positive results.


Acting Vice-Chancellor, Sanjoy Kumar Mallik, lauded the team's efforts and highlighted the potential impact on agriculture. "The work will have a deep impact on agriculture," stated Mallik. The researchers' dedication to sustainable farming practices and their discovery of Pantoea Tagorei mark a significant stride toward fostering environmentally friendly agricultural methods.