Inter-school science talent contest
How can agriculture be improved using modern techniques? The students of Sri Jayendra Saraswathy Matriculation Higher Secondary School seem to have the answer. In fact, they have a whole bunch of techniques at their disposal.Their exhibit at “Science Unlimited,” an inter-school science talent contest hosted by the Department of Biochemistry of Dr. GRD College of Science, demonstrated the solutions to major ecological problems.March towards a Greener India,” their project, is an attempt at underlining the importance of improvisation in agricultural techniques.“We chose environmental biology as the topic for the exhibition as that is what needs immediate attention,” said A. Sakthisuganya of Class XII.The other members of the group are A. Srivinusathya, S. Sindhu and M. Sharmila Banu.Their model experiments with hydroponics, a method in which crops could be cultivated without soil, supplying only nutrients and water. Even vegetables such as tomato, potato and ornamental plants can be cultivated using this method.Cultivating crops in forests was also demonstrated. By planting nitrogen fixing crops, there would be a balance in biodiversity. Preparation of ethanol from hard wood and inexpensive sources such as sugar cane and algae were explained. Algae culture, which helps in the generation of bio-fuel was an easy way to reduce atmospheric pollution.N. Venkatlakshmi, K. Gomathi, N. Narmada and P. Suprabha of the same school discussed the dangers of ozone layer depletion through their project.
