The International Science and Technology Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan has developed a biological product for the restoration of saline and degraded soils. This was reported by the news agency Orient.

It is based on strains of microscopic fungi isolated from the country’s salt marshes, which remain active at salinity levels exceeding 10%. The preparation protects plant roots from excess sodium, stimulates growth and increases the resistance of crops to salt stress, heat and plant pathogens. According to the developers, wheat seed germination increases from 42% to 78%, and root biomass by 35%.

The technology can increase yields by 25–30% and reduce the need for mineral fertilisers by 15%. The development is seen as a promising solution for combating soil salinisation in Central Asian countries.