Pantoea Tagorei: A bacteria helping plant growth named after Rabindranath Tagore

December 23, 2023

GS Paper III Science and Technology

Context: New species of bacteria discovered by Visva- Bharati researchers being named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore as “Pantoea Tagorei”.

Pantoea Tagorei: New Species Of Bacteria

The research was conducted on soil samples from the Jharia coal mines.
Published: In the Indian Journal of Microbiology.
It is for the first time that any living organism is named after Rabindranath Tagore.

About Pantoea Tagorei

Analysis on the samples suggest discovery of a new species of bacteria.
Characteristics: The bacteria solubilizes potassium and phosphorus and replenishes nitrogen exhibiting properties of aiding in enhanced plant growth.
Field analysis: The bacteria has been introduced to farmers in and around the coal mines and they have expressed satisfaction with the positive results.
Application:
- A significant stride toward fostering environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural methods.
- Can help revive degraded lands.
- Promote organic farming.

About Rabindranath Tagore

About: Born in 1861 to Devendranath Tagore, he was a poet, short-story writer, music composer, playwright, novelist, and a painter.
Honours:
- He was knighted by the ruling British Government in 1915, but resigned the honour as a protest against British policies in India.
- Won India its first Nobel Price in literature for his collection of poems “Gitanjali”
Notable works:
- Poems: Sonar Tari (1894), Gitanjali (1910) , Gitimalya (1914)
- Plays: Dakghar (1912), Achalayatan , Muktadhara (1922)
- short stories and novels: among them Gora (1910), Ghare-Baire (1916) , and Yogayog (1929)
He also started an experimental school (now Visva Bharati university) at Shantiniketan (accorded world Heritage Site status by Unesco) where he tried his Upanishadic ideals of education.