Can you tell me in detail about the Division of Microbiology of IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research?

Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

Division of Microbiology

The Division of Microbiology was established in 1961 by unification the units of Soil Microbiology of the Division of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry and Algology of then Botany Division.

The focus of the Division is on basic, applied and planned research on microorganisms of agricultural importance. Since its inception, it has contributed extensively on the isolation and selection of nitrogen fixing- and plant-growth promoting microorganisms for legumes, cereals, millets and oilseed crops.

The Division continues to be the prime centre for production and distribution of microbial inoculants of high quality, and for formulation of standards by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for testing microbial cultures for efficiency and purity of manufactured inoculants.

The Division is the national lead centre for advancing knowledge and understanding of the microbial domains for agricultural application.

The research of the Division includes utilization of microbial gene- and metabolite pool for plant growth promotion as well as protection, natural resource management and value addition of biomass through microbial means.

It contributes to the human resource development. The faculty of the Division offers teaching and research guidance for both national and international students for their master's and doctoral degrees.

The Centre for Conservation and Utilization of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA) is affiliated to it. The CCUBGA, the National Facility for Rhizobium Germplasm Collection and the Azolla germplasm collection within the Division are the major provider and storehouse of the national microbial wealth.

The Mandates of the Division are:-
• To undertake research, teaching, and extension in the field of beneficial microorganisms.
• To serve as the lead centre in the country.
• To decide national priorities for Agricultural Microbiology.