What is AMC and why should Farmers know how, where and when to use it?

We answer queries raised by farmers about Arka Microbial Consortium (AMC), see our video and know how you can save up to 25% money on Bio-fertilizers by using AMC.

Clearing doubts in the minds of farmers

Namaskar from Soulofkrishi

Today from soulofkrishi I am clearing some doubts in the minds of farmers about the use of Arka Microbial Consortium –A Biofertilizer of par excellence invented by ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru

Let us see what is this Arka Microbial Consortium popularly known as AMC available both as powder and as liquid

AMC is a biofertilizer and a bio-inoculant which is applied to soil and sprayed on plants and can also be applied through root feeding. It has been in use by pomegranate, pepper, ginger, vegetables, flower crops, arecanut, coconut, and many other crops.

The basic question farmers and other people ask is whether AMC can be applied to all crops

Yes it can be applied to any crop because basically we donot apply AMC to crops but we apply to soil and the same is sprayed on the crop. AMC is applied to soil to enhance the soil health and soil productivity and to minimize the soil borne diseases. Therefore any crop grown on any soil treated with AMC will get benefit from its application. So it can be applied to any crop.

Several farmers ask –how is it different from other biofertilizers and bioinoculants available in the market.

It is this point where AMC outsmarts all other biofertilizers and bioinoculants. Farmers must know that biofertilizers are microorganisms and their efficiency depends upon the organisms present in the biofertilizers. The biofertilizers organisms available in the market are not properly controlled and quality is not maintained. Compatibility of one organism with the other is not sure. Quantity recommended is also not standardized. As a result most of these biofertilizers got mixed-up and the efficiency of these strains got weekend. Their success in different regions are not tested, temperature and soil suitability is not known and hence Many times farmers say that the biofertilizers are not working.

Then what about AMC? AMC is not the same. Keeping all these confusion and mismanaged biofertilizer markets IIHR has isolated altogether a set of new microorganisms which are entirely different from all those biofertilizers available in the market, registered in its name and purity and efficacy is maintained by specialized scientists in this area. Instead of single organism based biofertilizer IIHR has made a consortium of three organisms which can survive together and work together and made this AMC the first ever microbial consortium in the country. The manufacture is done under the guidance of IIHR scientists. Hence quality, efficacy and recommendations are managed by the Institute and to a great extent the marketing is under control without adulteration as of now.

Then how does AMC work

AMC works in an entirely different way than all other biofertilizers and bioinoculants.

1. The organisms present in AMC can work in a wide range of temperature and soil types and soil pH. So AMC can be used throughout the country

2. The organisms present in this consortium can work in a symbiotic manner and efficiently work together without any antagonistic effect on each other.

3. It has ability to solubilise phosphorus, potassium and zinc in the soil, it mobilizes all nutrients through better mineralization from organic matter in the soil and it fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. So if AMC is used you can reduce 25% fertilizer application and save money.

4. It promotes plant growth through production of growth hormones and hence plants grow robust with internal resistance

5. It suppresses most of the soil borne pathogens. Since most of the pathogens originate from soil AMC spray on plant controls plant diseases also.

IIHR is the first to recommend AMC for foliar spray because of two reasons. 1. It produces growth hormones and hence its spray will enhance plant growth. 2. Since it suppresses soil borne pathogens and since most disease organisms originate from soil AMC spray will minimize diseases on the plant also.

AMC is organic. Since it manages nutrient availability and supply, promotes growth and suppresses diseases it is the best product for organic production

What is the best method and time of use for best results:

Basically treat nursery with AMC by mixing with the media and irrigating it with AMC solution. While transplanting we can dip seedling roots with AMC solution. If it is seed material like sugarcane, potato, ginger, banana suckers etc then treat the seed material with a slurry of AMC before planting. Next after transplanting drench the seedlings with AMC liquid. During growth and fruiting stage regularly spray AMC liquid on the crop. If it is root or stem disease of trees like coconut and arecanut then go for root feeding.

AMC has shown success in management of pomegranate diseases, ginger diseases, black pepper diseases, potato and tomato diseases, most of the vegetqable diseases, papaya diseases, flower crop diseases, nursery diseases, arecanut and coconut diseases, beetlevine diseases and many other diseases. All these are farmers experiences apart from research channels.

AMC is a biofertilizer and bioinoculant of par excellence. Farmers can use it on any crop and on any soil and anywhere. But be sure you purchase only from IIHR licensed persons to assure quality of AMC. Use in right way, in right quantity and in right time for best results.

Since we get information about market adulterations please make sure that you look for IIHR symble on all packets and bottles.

Contact soulofkrishi for further information and guidance.

Namaskar