lect 21 _ 22 Organic nutrient management.pptx

Organic nutrient management

1. LECTURE NO.21 Organic nutrient management- types of organic manures- biofertilizers - efficient use of organic sources of nutrients

2. Soil care is a main principle in organic farming. So, impacts of organic farming on soil properties have been researched comprehensively. Special focus in this research is on organic matter content, biological activity, nutrient cycles and soil erosion. Even though soil performance is very site specific, results of studies in different countries show that organic farming tends to conserve soil fertility and system stability better than conventional farming systems.

3. Organic farming systems rely on the management of soil organic matter to enhance the chemical, biological and physical properties of soil. One of the basic principles of soil fertility management in organic systems is that, plant nutrition depends on biologically derived nutrients instead of using readily soluble forms of nutrients. This requires release of nutrients to the plants via the activity of soil microbes and soil animals . Improved soil biological play a key role in suppressing weeds, pests and diseases (IFOAM, 1998).

4. Organic systems adopt management options with primary aim to develop whole farm like a living organism with balanced growth in both crops and livestock holding. Thus nutrient cycle is closed as far aspossible . Only the nutrients in the form of food are exported out of the farm . Crop residue burning is prohibited. The farmers need to take advantage of locally available resour ces, their interactions with farm activities, climate, soil and environment with less dependence on off-farm inputs .

5. Principle component s of managing soil fertility Crop rotations Organic manures(Bulky and concentrated) Managing crop residues and Agro-industry wa stes through composting and vermi composting and its fortification. Green manures Bio fertilizers Naturally occurring mineral amendments Other forms of Organic nutrient management and Innovate Inputs ITK’s for Nutrient Management

6. 1.Croprotation : Crop rotations and varieties are selected to suit local conditions, having potential to balance the crops ‘N’ demand. Requirements for other nutrients like P, S and micronutrients are met with local, preferable renewable resources . Organic agriculture is therefore often termed as Knowledge based rather than input based agriculture . Organic farms aim to optimize crop productivity under given set of farm conditions.

7. II. Organic manures: An organic product prepared from controlled decomposition of dead remains of plants and animals and excreta of animals and human being is called organic manure. In scientific term, manuring or decomposition process is essentially a microbiological process , accomplished by the combined activity of wide range of microorganism, belonging to bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and protozoa . In vermi composting, the feed material is partly decomposed initially by the activity of microorganisms and finally, converted into nutrient rich compost by the action of earthworms. Although compost is not high in N, P and K (about 2% only), these nutrients are released slowly over a period of time.

8. The real benefit of adding compost to the soil lies in its ability to increase soil organic matter levels. Thus, it improves soil fertility, buffering capacity, porosity, aeration and water holding capacity. Bulky organic manures: Bulky organic manures contain small percentage of nutrients and are applied in large quantities . They supply plant nutrients including micro nutrients, improve soil physical properties and control the plant parasitic nematodes. Based on the source of raw material & decomposition / conversion process the organic manures are classified into different categories.

9. Cow dung manure or FYM: Manure prepared from cow dung, cow urine, bedding material of animal sheds is called cow dung manure or FYM It contains 0.5% N, 0.2% P and 0.5% K. Nowadays, cow dung is also used for energy production in biogas plants. Spent biogas slurry is also good cow dung manure.

10. 2.Compost: Organic manure prepared by controlled decomposition of Organic wastes such as remains of crop, field grasses, water hyacinth, saw dust, leaves of sugar cane, Coir dust or pith, rural waste, industrial waste of organic origin free of chemicals and toxic substances , city sewage and night soil etc through microbial activity. It contains 0.50 to 2.0% N 0.15 to 0.4% P 0.50 to 1.0 % K

11. 3.Sheep and goat manure : The dropping of sheep and goats contain higher nutrients than farmyard manure and compost. On an average,the manure contains 3%N, 1%P 2 O 5 & 2%K 2 O. It is applied to the field in two ways. The sweeping of sheep or goat sheds are placed in pits for decomposition and it is applied later to the field. The nutrients present in the urine are wasted in this method. The second method is sheep penning , wherein sheep and goats are allowed to stay overnight in the field; and urine and fecal matter is added to the soil, which is incorporated to a shallow depth by running blade harrow or cultivator.

12. 4.Poultry manure : This is rich organic manure, since liquid and solid excreta are excreted together resulting in no urine loss. Poultry dropping can be transformed into potent organic manure in the deep litter built up system. All that is required is to raise the birds on litter of chopped up straw, leaves or saw dust, turned over once a week. Deep litter is built up from the bacterial breakdown of litter material and droppings from the birds. Bacteria get to work in the mixture and a year later the manure is ready for use. One ton of manure can be produced by keeping 33 to 40 birds over a year time span.

13. Ready poultry manures contain 3% N, 2%P and 2% K along with other trace elements and growth hormones. The nitrogen in poultry manure is more quickly available compared to other organic manures. Therefore, it should not be applied to the crops much in advance as we apply the FYM. If left exposed, it may lose up to 50 percent of its nitrogen within 30 days. If the droppings come from the cages or dropping pits, super phosphate may be added @ 1 kg per day , per hundred birds . This improves the fertility quality and helps the control of flies and odour .

14. 5. Crop residue : Substantial quantities of crop residues are produced in India every year and nearly 50 per cent is utilized as livestock feed. Major crops like rice, wheat, sorghum, pearlmillet and maize alone yield approximately 236 Mt straw per year . Crop residue of non feed crops (Cotton , redgram etc) can be recycled either by compostin g or by way of mulch or direct incorporation in the soil .

15. II. Concentrated organic manures – Concentrated organic manure is prepared by fermenting a mixture of rice bran, oil cakes and fish meal in ratio of 10:1:1. For further enrichment the manure can also be provided with Ca and P . Fermentation is carried out under controlled conditions with the use of wide variety of microorganisms. Dry mixture of chicken manure, oilcakes, some fresh ashes and some rock powder also serves as excellent concentrated manure.

16. A. Oilcakes: Oil seeds are generally rich in manurial ingredients. After oil extraction, the oilcakes are rich in N and also contains P and K. The N content varies from 3 to 9%, depending on the nature of oilcakes. The C/N ratio is low ranging between 3 and 15 for different types of oilcakes. Due to low C/N ratio, its decomposition rate is faste r than cereal & legume residues and other bulky organic manures. This nitrifies very quickly and about 60 to 80 percent of its nitrogen is converted in available form within 2-3 months .

17. The manurial value of edible oilcakes like groundnut, rapeseed, mustard, sesamum , linseed and non-edible cakes such as Neem , Kharanj , Mahua , Castor etc. lies mainly in its nitrogen content . These cakes contain small quantities of P 2 O 5 and K 2 O . Oilcakes need to be well-powdered before application , so that they can be spread evenly and are usually decomposed by microorganisms. They can be applied a few days before sowing or as top dressing. Mahua cake is poor in N and takes longer time to nitrify. It is better to apply mahua cake about 2 months in advance t o soil before sowing of the crop.

18. Oilcakes on economic grounds are not recommended for cereal crops . Neem cake and castor cake is also considered to be good vermicide against some pests. The efficiency of these oil cakes can be increased by moistening it and allowing it to ferment for some time to decompose the toxic substances.

19. b. Meal group of manures : These are all quick acting manures suitable for all types of soil and for all crops . This group consists of blood-meal , meat meal, fish-mea l, horn and hoof-mea l and bone meal. Meat meal and blood-meal are applied like oilcake s whereas fish-meal should be preferably be powdered. Horns and hooves of slaughtered or dead animals are converted into horn and hoof-meal by cooking in the bone digeste r, and then drying and powdering them.

20. Fish meal manure : It is prepared from left over small fish refuse at fish sorting sites on sea beaches and from remains of fish after extracting fish oil. Fish meal manure is very rich in nutrients and usually contains 9.50% N, 5.20%P and 9.36% K. Slaughter house manure : Manure prepared from slaughter house waste, comprising of animal blood and remains of animal body such as intestine, lungs, part of skin and small bones etc is called slaughter house manure. It is very rich in nitrogen and 10-12% N 1-1.5% P and 0.6 -0.8% K . The average chemical composition of meal group of manures :

21. Bone manure: In this manure, bones are first subjected to steam treatment for softening and then grinded to form a dry powder. Bone manures are rich in calcium and phosphorus . Bone meal is considered useful for all soils . Best results are, however, obtained on acidic soils and soil having good drainage . It is less effective on heavy clay and calcareous soils. Bone meal is applied to the soil at sowing time or just before it. Its use as top dressing is not recommended . For vegetable and fruits , about 500 to 600 kg of bone meal per hectare is applied.

22. Managing crop residues and Agro-industry wastes through composting and vermicomposting and its fortification : Composting: Mass of rotted organic matter made from waste is called compost. The compost made from farm waste like sugarcane trash, paddy straw, weeds and other plants and other waste is called farm compost. Nutrient content of farm compost is 0.5%N, 0.15%P 2 O 5 & 0.5 % K 2 O . The nutrient value of farm compost can be increased by application of rock phosphate @ 10 to 15 kg/t of raw material at the initial stage of filling the compost pit. The compost made from town refuses like street sweepings and dustbin refuse is called town compost . It contains 1.4 %N, 1.0 %P 2 O 5 and 1.4% K 2 O .

23. Farm compost is made by placing farm wastes in trenches of suitable size, 4.5 m to 5.0 m long , 1.5 m to 2.0 m wide and 1.0 m to 2.0 m deep . Farm waste is placed in the trenches layer by layer . Each layer is well moistened by sprinkling cow-dung slurry or water . Trenches are filled up to a height of 0.5 m above the ground . The compost is ready for application within five to six months . Compost prepared by traditional method is usually low in nutrients and there is need to improve its quality. Enrichment of compost using low cost N fixing and phosphate solublizing microbes is one of the possible way. It could be achieved by introducing microbial inoculants , which are more efficient than the native strains associated with substrate materials.

24. Both the N fixing and P solubilising microbes are more exacting in their physiological and ecological requirements and it is difficult to meet these requirements under natural conditions. The only alternative is to enhance their inoculums potential in the composting mass. Studies conducted at IARI, NewDelhi , showed that inoculation with A zotobacter / Azospirillum and phosphate solubilising culture in the presence of 1% rock phosphate is a beneficial input to obtain good quality compost rich in N (1.8%). The humus content was also higher in materials treated with microbial inoculants.

25. The following basic rules are important for the production of good quality compost : The purpose of composting is to convert organic matter into growth promoting substances, for sustained soil improvement and crop production. The organic matter is partially decomposed and converted by microbes. These microbes require proper growth conditions , for their activity i.e moisture content : 50% and 50% aeration of total pore space of the composting material. This is achieved through stacking and occasional turning over. Microbes also need sufficient nitrogen for synthesizing their body cells [the optimum C:N ratio of the composting material is 20:1 to 30:1 ]

26. 3.Soil microorganisms constitute sufficiently to the decomposition of organic matter through their continuous activities. The majority of these soil animals provide optimal conditions in their digestive track for their synthesis of valuable permanent humus and stable soil crumbs. A typical compost earthworm is Eisenia foetida . 4.Certain additives accelerate the conversion and improve the final product. The materials such as lime, earth, gypsum, rock phosphate act as effective additives. The addition of nitrogen (0.1 to 1 %) is important in case of large C:N ratio of the composting material. Addition of lime ( 0.3 to 0.5 %), if sufficient lime is not present. The preparation of compost takes 2-3months . The composition of compost varies with in wide limits.

27. L. No.22. Organic nutrient resources and its fortification- Constraints of nutrient use in organic farming.

28. Crop residue management through vermicomposting Crop residues are defined as the non-economic plant parts that are left in the field after harvest generated from agril.operations such as threshing, dehusking , shelling etc. Crop residues are significant resources of fiber, energy and plant nutrients. However , recycling of nutrients through crop residues is of primary importance in plant nutrition. They benefit the soil physically, chemically and biologically , they require little or no transportation can be applied in-situ , do not cost since they are produced along with the grains have no health hazard problems like heavy metal contamination, salinity, sodicity or nitrate contamination.

29. Vermi composting is a method of preparing compost with the use of earthworms, which generally live in soil, eat bio-mass and excrete it in digested form. This compost is an odorless, clean, organic material containing adequate quantities of N,P,K and several micro nutrients essential for plant growth. India is ranked first in live stock population and has good reserve of animal waste (urine and litter). In addition, crop residue amounts to 3865 m. tonnes . As the burning of crop residues including weeds, is prohibited in organic farming, there is a need to identify suitable technology to convert organic wastes into useful product i.e. , manure. Vermi technology (VT) is the combination of vermiculture and vermin composting is the environment friendly and converting any organic waste into manure.

30. 5.Green manures : Crops grown for the purpose of restoring or increasing the organic matter content in the soil are called green manure crops. Green manure crops use in the cropping systems is called green manuring . Green manure can be defined as practice of ploughing or turning of un decomposed green plants tissues in to the soil for the purpose of improving physical structure as fertility of the soil. Two types of green manuring are present.

31. Types of green manures a.Green manure in situ : Green manure crops are grown and buried in the same field Leguminous green manures 1. Sesbania - Sesbnia speciosa 2. Dhaincha - Sesbania aculeta 3. Sunhemp- Crtotalaria juncea 4. Wildindigo - Tephrosia purpurea 5. Pillipesara- Phaseolus tribolous 6. Cowpea - Vigna ungiculata 7. Greengram - Vigna radiate 7. Blackgram - Vigna mungo 8. Clusterbean - Cyamopsis tetragonoloba 9 . Berseem- Trifolium alexandrinum

32. Non Leguminous green manures 1.Parthenium- Parthenium hysterophorus 2.Waterhycianth- Eicchornia crassipes 3.Carpetweed- Trianthema portulaccastrum 4.Ipomea- Ipomea carnea 5.Cassia- Casssia pistula 6.Velvetbean- Stizolobium deeringianum

33. b. Green leaf manuring :- Green leaf manuring refers to turning into the soil green leaves and tender twigs collected from shrubs and tree grown on waste land and nearly forest area. Green leaf manure plants 1.Gliricidia Gliricidia maculata 2.Pongania Pongamia glabra 3.Wildindigo Tephrosia perpuria 4.Indigo Indigofera teysmanuui 5.Sesbania Sesbania speciosa 6.Neem Azadirachta indica 7.Gulmohur Delonix regia 8.Peltophorum Peltophorum ferrugenum Weeds 1.Calotropis Calotropis gigantia 2.Ipomea Ipomea carnea 3.Parthenium Parthenium hysterophorus 4.Waterhycianth Eicchornia crassipes

34. Bio fertlizers and its use in organic nutrient management Soil is the home of hundreds thousands of different type of organisms including micro organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, these micro organism play a vital role in mobilization of nutrients from organic and inorganic non-available form to available-forms and vice versa. To sustain the fertility status of soils , maintenance of appropriate status of micro flora is very essential. Biofertilizer (microbial inoculant ) is a broad term used for products containing living or dormant microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and algae alone or in combination, which on application help in fixing atmospheric N or solubilise / mobile soil nutrients in addition to secreting growth-promoting substances . They are known as bio-inoculants or microbial cultures . Biofertilizers are most effective ,e co -friendly and renewable source of plant nutrients to supplement chemical fertilizers. They activate the soil biologically upto 25-30 % there by enhance soil fertility.

35. A.Rhizobium : Rhizobium is well known for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in leguminous crops. The successful nodulation of a legume occur only on the availability of a compatible strain of Rhizobium . In the absence of related legume crop the population of the bacteria declines. Legumes generally can meet 80% of their nitrogen requirement through efficient Rhizobium symbiosis. The pink color in effective nodules is due to the presence of red coloured leghaemoglobin which has direct relationship between amount of atmospheric nitrogen fixed. Leghaemoglobin acts as a biological valve in regulating the supply of oxygen to the bacterioids in the nodules. It represents an active site of nitrogen absorption and reduction by acting as a specific electron carrier in nitrogen fixation.

36. Rhizobium spe cies Cross-inoculation group Legume type N fix kg/ha R.leguminosarum Peagroup Pisum,Visiasps .,Lentil 62-132 R.trifolii Clover group Trifolium 110-135 R.meliloti Alfalfa group Melilotus 110-155 R.japonicum Soybean group Glycine 57-105 Rhizobiumsps . Cowpea group Vigna , Arachis 60-110

37. B. Azolla Azolla is an aquatic fern commonly seen in lowlands and in shallow fresh water bodies. This plant hosts algae called Anabena azollae , a blue green algae in its leaves as symbionts and is responsible for nitrogen fixation, using energy from photosynthesis. Azolla has very fast growing character and doubles its mass in 3-5 days. Its nitrogen fixation capacity has been estimated to be 100-150 kg N and 40-60 t of Biomass/ha/year. The agronomic potential of Azolla is significant particularly for rice crop & is widely used as biofertilizer for rice . The common species of Azolla a are A.microphylla , A.filiculoides , A.pinnata , A.caroliniana , A. nilotica , A. rubra and A. mexicana . Azolla pinnata is a common species in India .

38. C. Phosphate solubilizing micro organisms (PSM): PSMs include a large number of heterotrophic microbes, which secrete various organic and inorganic acids that act on insoluble phosphate and convert them into soluble ones in the rhizosphere, thus making them readily available to the plants. A number of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and yeasts have been reported to be capable of dissolving inorganic phosphates. PSMs in soils increases the availability of P and thus increases crop yields. Inoculation of seeds or seedlings helps in providing more than 30kg P /annum . Some of them produce growth hormones like IAA and gibberellins, which stimulate the root growth and its development resulting in better yields.

39. D .Mycorrhiza Mycorrhizae are obligate symbionts of more than 85% terrestrial plants. The fungi associated in mycorrhiza belong to Basiomycotina , Ascomycotina orZygomycotina . The association of former two is normally called as Ectomycorrhiza (on the roots) Zygomycetous members was called as Vescicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM). VAM fungi help the plants to take more Zn, S, Cu, P, Ca, K, Fe, Mn and B from the soil.

40. E.Plant Growth Promoting Rhizo bacteria(PGPR ) The group of bacteria that colonize roots or rhizosphere and beneficial to crops are referred to as PGPR. The PGPR inoculants promote growth through at least one mechanism ; suppression of plant disease (Bio protectants), improved nutrient acquisition ( Bio fertilizers ), or phyto hormone production ( Bio stimulants). 2.Speciesof Pseudomonas and Bacillus can produce phytohormones or growth regulators that cause crops to have greater amounts of fine roots , which have the effect of increasing the absorptive surface of plant roots for uptake of water and nutrients . 3. Biostimulants produce indole-acetic acid, cytokinins , gibberellins and inhibitors of ethylene production .

41. Naturally occurring minerals as organic fertilizers The chemical fertilizers, particularly macronutrient NP & K sources are prohibited for use in organic production. These include all ammonia fertilizers and most nitrate fertilizers, super and triple-phosphate. Highly soluble natural fertilizers are also restricted in their use because of concerns about the effects on soil and the environment. In particular, sodium (Chilean) nitrate , MOP and calcium chloride. Calcium chloride may be used only as a foliar spray to treat a physiological disorder associated with calcium uptake. all sources of lime are not permitted. limestone (calcium carbonate) and dolomite (magnesium carbonate ) are allowed . quicklime (calcium oxide ), burnt dolomite (magnesium oxide), slaked lime (calcium hydroxide ), & milk of magnesia ( magnesium hydroxide ) are not .

42. Mined gypsum is permitted, but calcium sulphate that is a by- product of super phosphate manufacture is not permitted . Natural potassium sulphate from lake brine or recovered from mined sources are allowed , but potassium sulphate from entirely synthetic sources are prohibited . Few synthetic fertilizers are permitted based on their traditional use in organic farming systems, such as stabilized liquid fish products, aquatic plant extracts and humic acid derivatives . These are considered ‘ semi-synthetic’ or nearly natural with a small amount of synthetic processing based on practical considerations.

43. Rock phosphate is the best source of phosphorus ( 15 to 20% of P). Rock phosphate(apatite) is a general term used to describe a variety of globally distributed P-rich minerals . two main types (sedimentary or igneous), sedimentary rock deposits are the source of over 80% of the total world production of phosphate rock. Depending on its geologic origin, rockphosphate has widely varying mineralogy, texture, and chemical properties. Some rock P is found in hard-rock deposits, while other rock P is found as soft colloidal (soil-like) material. This great variation in properties and the accompanying elements present in the rock(such as carbonate and fluoride) has a large effect on its value as a source of plant nutrient .

44. Many rock P sources are commonly ground to <100 mesh (0.15 mm) to improve reactivity, but such finely ground material may be difficult to handle and to spread uniformly. Other cultural practices that may improve P availability from rock P include broadcast applications to maximize soil dissolution reactions and using management that promotes root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi. Application of rock P should be made several weeks or months prior to the anticipated need for plant nutrients. Lime applications are important for reducing soil acidity, But tend to reduce the value of rock P as a nutrient source. Rock phosphate is under restricted category as it naturally contain varying amounts of heavy metals , particularly cadmium ( Cd ). Certification standards require that lower cadmium rock should be used, soil analysis may be required to ensure that Cd levels in soil do not buildup.

45. Biotechnological Solubilisation of Phosphate Rock: Phosphorus supply and associated plant growth and nutritional benefits have successfully been improved by fermenting Rock phosphate with sugarbeet wastes. The hypothesis was that fungal solubilisation in the presence of C and N resulted in the production of organic acids, which not only acidify the medium, but also chelate the cations (in particular Ca 2+ ) bound to the phosphate.

46. Soil Amendments 1.Lime – It is also referred to as Quicklime /calcium oxide ( CaO ). It is sometimes found naturally , where coal seams have burned or near volcanoes , where there are limestone deposits that have been exposed to the high heat . Lime is produced by crushing and heating limestone to very high temperatures. The heating process drives off the carbon dioxide (CO 2 )leaving the calcium oxide. It is often used to create very hard soils before concrete is poured to make a harder and stronger base. Lime is very reactive (extremely alkaline) and should not be used in horticulture especially gardening . Dolomitic Lime has magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) in the rock in addition to the calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

47. 2.Soil conditioners: Industrial wastes are also being used as soil conditioners. They include press mud and molasses from sugar factories , lime sludge from paper mills, fly ash from coal fired thermal power plants etc. Lignite can be used as source of humic acid as a soil conditioner. Common salt, rock dust, perlite & vermiculite, blue green algae are other non conventional soil conditioner . Low grade rock phosphate (in acidic soils), basic slag, bone meal, glauconite , granite powder/sludge, potassium schoenite etc. are good non conventional phosphorus and potash nutrients

48. Biofertilizers as source for Secondary and micronutrients: Symbion -S is a liquid form of Bio-fertilizer based on selective strain of sulphur solubilizing bacteria , Thiobacillus thiooxidans . This beneficial bacteria is suspended liquid carrier @ 1x10 9 bacterial cells / ml of the product. This bacterial cell converts the non available sulphur and sulphur related compounds to easily available form of sulphur salts through a process of oxidation. Hence, it can be utilized in reclaiming the alkaline and saline soil for normal cultivation. One metric tonne of Gypsum and 1metric tonne of organic fertilizer mixed with 3 Litres of Symbion -S and applied per hectare as top dressing.

49. Iron Uptake: Bacteria produces siderophores which chelate iron from the soil and provide to plant as nutrient . Ex : Pseudomonas fluorescens . Under aerated conditions at neutral to alkaline pH , inorganic iron is extremely insoluble and its concentration is less than optimal for bacterial growth. To acquire iron, bacterial cells produce siderophores . Iron is essential for all life forms. There is a enormous scope for the application of microbial siderophores for the sustainability of humans, animals and plants. Currently the applications of siderophores in medicine, agricultural and environmental sector are reported in some extent. But the application of siderophore research is not at all initiated in various field of microbiology. So, there is a need to discover siderophores from normal and also extremophiles in the ecosystems like deep sea, desert and forest to exploit their applications for welfare of all living beings as well as for environment.

50. Zn solubilisers : Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ZSB-22) has a potential to solubilize the insoluble forms of zinc and can be used as a bio inoculant to overcome Zn deficiency in plants ( Kumari etal ., 2016). Bt cotton, the nutrient availability of Zn (0.73ppm), Fe (6.46 ppm) were found significantly increased upto 22% and 13% respectively with Trichoderma viridae followed by Pseudomonas striata and Bacillus megatherium strains compared to control(inorganic).

51. Vermiwash : The celomic fluid of earthworms collected by the passage of water through a column of worm activation and this is called vermiwash . It contains high amount of enzymes, vitamins and hormones like auxins , gibberellins etc along with macro and micronutrients used as foliar spray.

52. Other forms of Organic nutrient management and Innovate Inputs Bio-dynamic preparations and its use in Organicfarming Biodynamic agriculture is a method of farming that aims to treat the farm as a living system which interacts the environment, to build healthy, living soil and to produce quality food. The underlying principle of bio dynamics is making life-giving compost out of dead material . The methods are derived from the teachings of Rudolf Stainer and subsequent practitioners. Horn Manure Preparation (500) is used to enliven the soil, increasing the micro flora and availability of nutrients and trace elements. Through it, the root growth in particular is strengthened in a balanced way, especially the fine root hairs.

53. Horn Manure 500 helps in developing humus formation, soil structure and water holding capacity. Horn Silica Preparation (501) enhances the light and warmth assimilation of the plant, leading to better fruit and seed development with improved flavour , aroma, colour and nutritional quality. Compost Preparations(502 to 507), known collectively as the compost preparations, help the dynamic cycles of the macro-and micro-nutrients, via biological processes in the soil and in plant material breakdown.

54. Amrutpani : Amrutpani is liquid manure prepared by Ahimsak Rishi- Krishi Despande technique. Amrut is the heavenly drink, which refreshes the gods and has the power to resurrect the dead. In the same manner, Amrutpani invigorates the living soil and converts a dead soil into livingone . 200 liters of amrutpani is needed for one acre of farm land , which is prepared with 250 g ghee from desi cow , Half kilo of honey , 10 kilo of fresh dung from a desi cow and 200liters of wat er. The process is thoroughly mix 250 gm of ghee into 10 k ilo cow dung. Blend half kilo honey into this mixture and add 200 liters of water stirring all the time. The mixture thus obtained is Amrutpani and apply it 3weeks after sowing , by drenching the soil near each plant .

55. Jeevamrutha – Organic Liquid Fertilizer : Jeevamrutha is important to provide a congenial environment to microorganisms that help in making available the essential nutrients for plant growth viz., nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Jeevamrutha provides such an environment for the growth and multiplication of microbes. Application of Jeevamrutha to soil improves the soil condition considerably making it rich with humus by encouraging microbial activity in the soil. Two-time application at 3 weeks after sowing, and again after 2 to 3 weeks (5-6 WAS).

56. Panchgavya Krishi : Panchgavya is a special bio enhencer prepared from five products obtained from cow; dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee. Dr Natrajan , a Medical practitioner and scientist from Tamilnadu Agricultural University, has further refined the formulation suiting to the requirement of various horticultural and agricultural crops . Panchgavya contains many useful microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and various micronutrients. The formulation act as tonic to enrich the soil, induce plant vigour with quality production.

57. Humic acids : Humic acids extracted from clay minerals (Vermiculite, perlite and peat) contain high organic matter that increase the water holding capacity of soils and can significantly reduce water evaporation. Humic acids aid in correcting plant chlorosis , increase the permeability of the plant membranes and intensify enzyme systems of plants. They accelerate cell division, show greater root development, and decrease stress deterioration. Under the influence of humic acids, plants grow stronger and they better resist plant diseases. reduce soil erosion by increasing the cohesive forces of the very fine soil particles. They improve the soil structure and improve physical properties of soil by increasing the exchange capacity and buffering qualities, promoting the chelation of many elements and making these available to plants.

58. Humic substances can ameliorate negative soil properties, improve the plant growth and nutrients uptake. They may be used in the case of the negative effect of salt in saline soils that would inhibit the plant growth and nutrient elements uptake. Economical levels of application should be determined and should not exceed 2 g humus/kg in soil and 1.0% In foliar application .

59. Calcified Atlantic Seaweed : It is a natural mineral complex, from red algae species Lithothamnium , which is naturally rich in calcium, magnesium, iron and several trace minerals. It quickly gets colonized by the bacteria that live in that soil. The bacteria can feed off the huge reservoirs of calcium, nitrogen and phosphorus available in the seaweed and enrich the quality of the soil. At the same time, the fertilizer can transfer nutrients directly to the root structures of plants. This makes it doubly effective as a fertilizer product. One of the benefits of calcified seaweed is that , over the course of prolonged use, it improves the structure of soil and partially upgrades the soil type. This allows plants to put down deeper roots when they are growing and that in turn allows more types of plants to grow in the same area .

60. ITK’s for Nutrient Management : Organic green manure/ leaf manures always encourage good crop growth. Commonly used green leaf manures are Vempali ( Tephrosia purpurea ), Calotropis ( Calotropis gigantea ), Kanuga ( Pongamia pinnata ), Neem ( Azadirachta indica ) Indian tulip tree ( Thespesia populnea ). Green manure crops likeDaincha ( Sesbania spp. ), Application of water hyacinth plants either as a compost or as burnt ash to the fields for supplying potash. Sheep penning an ancient method results in enhanced crop yields within same cropping season apart from sustaining soil health.

61. Cow urine is more nutritious over cow dung . Similarly, soil fertility can be enhanced by the use of other manures like pig dung . It is better to apply cattle manure for garden and dry lands and leaf manure for wet lands . Near irrigation channels , a pit is dug , in which cowdung , foliage of Calotropis gigantea, neem cake powder and cow urine are heaped, mixed well and allowed to decompose . It supply nutrients and control pest and diseases . Similarly, tank silt is applied every year in dry lands for better yields. Termite hil ls serve as good manure. Adding earth from an ant hill to the field results in good yield. Foliar spray of manures on full moon day results in good crop growth and yield .

62. Appendix 1 Products for Use in Fertilizing and Soil Conditioning In this appendix "restricted " means that the conditions and the procedure for use shall be set by the certification programme . Factors such as contamination, risk of nutritional imbalances and depletion of natural resources shall be taken into consideration.

63. a . + Farmyard & poultry manure, slurry, urine Permitted b . Crop Residues and green manure Permitted c . Straw and Other mulches Permitted Matter Produced on an Organic Farm Unit

64. a. Blood meal, meat Meal, bone meal and feather meal without Preservatives Restricted b . Compost made From any carbon based residues(animal Excrement including poultry ) Restricted c . Farmyard manure , slurry, urine Restricted (preferably after control fermentation and/ or appropriate dilution ) “factory” Farming sources not permitted. d . Fish and Fish products without preservatives Restricted e . Guano Restricted f . Human excrement Not allowed Matter Produced Outside the Organic Farm

65. g By-products from the food and textile industries of Restricted biodegradable material of microbial, plant or animal origin without any synthetic additives Restricted h Peat without synthetic additives (prohibited for soil conditioning) Permitted i Saw dust, wood shavings, wood provided, it comes from Untreated wood Permitted j Sea weed and sea weed products obtained by physical processes, extraction with water or aqueous acid and/or alkaline solution Restricted k Sewage sludge and urban composts from separated sources which are monitored for contamination Restricted L Straw Restricted m Vermicasts Restricted

66. N Animal charcoal Restricted O Compost and spent mushroom and vermiculate substances Restricted P Compost from organic house hold refuse Restricted Q Compost from plant residues Permitted R Byproducts from oilpalm , coconut and cocoa (including empty fruit bunch, palm oil mill effluent ( pome ), cocoa peat and empty cocoa pods) Restricted s By products of industries processing ingredients from Organic agriculture Restricted

67. A Basic slag Restricted B Calcareous and magnesium rock Restricted C Calcified sea weed Permitted D Calcium chloride Permitted E Calcium carbonate of network origin (chalk, limestone, Gypsum and phosphate chalk) Permitted F Mineral potassium with low chlorine content (e.g. sulphate of potash, kainite, sylvinite , patenkali ) Restricted G Natural phosphates (e.g. Rockphosphates ) Restricted h Pulverized rock Restricted Minerals

68. I Sodium chloride Permitted J Trace elements (baron, In, Fe, Mn , molybolerum , Zn) Restricted K Wood ash from untreated wood Restricted L Potassium sulphate Restricted M Magnesium sulphate ( Epsonsalt ) Permitted N Gypsum (calcium sulphate ) Permitted O Stillage and stillage extract Permitted P Aluminum calcium phosphate Restricted Q Sulphur Restricted R Stone mill Restricted S Clay( bentonite,perlite,zeolite ) Permitted

69. Microbiological Preparations A Bacterial preparations (bio fertilizers) Permitted B Bio dynamic preparations Permitted C Plant preparations and botanical extracts Permitted D Vermiculate Permitted e Peat Permitted