Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University vice-chancellor Rajdeo Singh and (right) Central University of Bihar vice-chancellor Janak Pandey at the symposium on Monday. Picture by Prakash Kumar

Muzaffarpur, Jan. 17: Research in biotechnology would boost fruit production in the state and would also help the ailing higher education system.

This was among a slew of issues discussed at a three-day national symposium on “Biotechnological perspective of plants, microbes and their interactions”.

The event concluded today with a note to focus on the pioneering and innovative researches in the field of tropical fruits and medicinal plants in the state.

The event had been organised by the University Grants Commission Centre of Special Assistance Programme in the department of botany under Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University. Altogether, 250 delegates, young scientists and botanists from across the country took part in the event.

Director of National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, Vidya Gupta stressed the need for enhancing and boosting production of wheat, mango and litchi by utilising biotechnological processes. India is the largest mango producer and contributes 63.2 per cent of the total 15 million tonnes of global mango production.

India exports 50,000 tonnes of mangoes annually to the Middle East, Europe and United States and the demand is increasing every year.

Mango plays a vital role in foreign exchange and income generation, particularly in rural areas. Gupta said Alphonso is the most popular variety of mango exported from India.

Alphonso has a low fibre pulp and a long shelf life. Rajendra S. Sangwan of Central Institute of Medicinal Aromatic Plants (Cimap), Lucknow said the soil in north Bihar is ideal for cultivation and plantation of medicinal plants.

The state government should come forward and encourage young scientists and botanists to come forward for planting medicinal plants such as Ashwagandha.

A.K. Roy, head of department, biotechnology, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, said the agricultural climate is well suited for horticultural crops, mainly litchi, which is an economically viable horticulture crop. The most common varieties grown in the state are Shahi and China. The plant is grown in well-drained clay and loam soil. Use of chemical fertilisers to augment the needs of plant for commercial production has not been suggested because of its diverse effect on soil health. However, macronutrients like phosphate, nitrogen and calcium are required for the development of new plants. With the help of new biotechnological approaches, litchi plants can be grown outside the state.

Delivering the concluding speech, the vice-chancellor of Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University, Rajdev Prasad Singh called upon young scientists and botanists to help the teaching fraternity of the state in augmenting innovative researches.

He added though teaching and research activities have witnessed a sharp decline, the state government is trying to revive the higher education sector. Singh thanked the attending scientists for their valuable suggestions.