Bengaluru ; The Lab to Land activity organized by the Department of Life Sciences, Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru, in collaboration with TREE Foundation provided 18 M.Sc. Microbiology students with a unique opportunity to apply their research work in a real-world setting.
The students had developed a biofertilizer mixture composed of Azotobacter sp., Azospirillum sp., and Rhizobium sp. Prof. S. C. Sharma of Tree Foundation, who warmly welcomed the group, facilitated the hands-on experience by providing a plot of land for the lab-to-land activity. Accompanied by Dr. K. Frankline Noah, Faculty Member, the students visited the TREE (Training-Research-Education-Endeavour) Foundation at Kengeri Hobli, Bangalore, to test the efficacy of biofertilizers they had prepared as part of their academic coursework. This plot was divided into two sections: one section received the biofertilizer along with seeds, while the other section was left untreated as a control.
This activity allowed the students to evaluate the practical efficacy of their biofertilizer by comparing plant growth in the treated section to the untreated control. Additionally, the students were able to observe and participate in various farm operations carried out at the TREE Foundation, broadening their understanding of agricultural practices and sustainable farming methods.
The students will conduct a follow-up visit in one month to assess the effectiveness of their biofertilizer product and gather data on plant growth and soil health. This experiential learning opportunity bridges the gap between laboratory research and field application, reinforcing the importance of innovative agricultural solutions.
