ROHTAK: A research project submitted by Professor Vineeta Hooda, Professor in the Department of Botany, Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), has been approved for financial assistance of INR 25 lakh by the Haryana State Council for Science, Innovation and Technology (HSCST), Panchkula.The three-year research project, entitled Synergism of Fungi and Microbiome as a Sustainable Soil Management Strategy to Reduce Fertilizer Use and Enhance Stress Resistance in Wheat, aims to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly soil management practices for wheat cultivation.The study will focus on harnessing beneficial interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and soil microorganisms to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, improve nutrient use efficiency, and strengthen wheat plants against environmental stresses such as heat and drought.The project is expected to contribute to sustainable agriculture, improved soil health and climate-resilient agricultural practices. It also seeks to develop practical solutions that can help reduce farming costs while improving crop productivity.Hooda has earlier contributed significantly to the fields of agricultural nanotechnology, plant physiology, soil health and sustainable agriculture. The approval of the project is seen as an important achievement for MDU’s research ecosystem and its commitment to addressing environmental sustainability through scientific innovation.
