Summary
This study employed metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics to characterise the composition of Beejamrit, a traditional Indian cow-based biostimulant used for seed treatment in natural farming systems. Analysis revealed the presence of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (including Advenella, Comamonas, Lysinibacillus, Acinetobacter and Arcobacter) and diverse bioactive metabolites, with organoheterocyclics (23–18%), organic acids (18%) and lipids (26%) as predominant compounds. These findings provide mechanistic insight into Beejamrit's potential efficacy and suggest a framework for standardisation in sustainable agriculture practice.
Regional applicability
Beejamrit is a traditional practice in India and this characterisation is most directly applicable to Indian natural farming systems. The study's findings on microbial and metabolite composition could inform efforts to standardise and validate bioformulations in other agroecological contexts, though the cow-based formulation reflects specific cultural and agricultural practices in South Asia.
Key measures
16S rRNA amplicon metagenomics; GC-MS metabolite profiling; LC-MS metabolite profiling; bacterial taxa composition; metabolite class abundance (organoheterocyclics, organic acids, benzenoids, lipids, phenolics, amino acids, fatty acids)
Outcomes reported
The study characterised the microbial composition and metabolite profiles of Beejamrit samples using 16S rRNA metagenomics, GC-MS and LC-MS analyses. It identified plant-growth-promoting bacteria and a diverse array of bioactive metabolites including amino acids, organic acids, phenolics and fatty acids.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Ask about this record, its theme or its relevance to UK farming and policy. Pulse AI uses selected catalogue evidence and cites the sources it draws on.