Effect of jeevamrit along with FYM and vermicompost on soil chemical and biological properties under rice crop

Introduction

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important staple food crop in India and across many parts of the world, serving as the primary source of calories for a large proportion of the population. Ensuring sustainable rice production is therefore crucial for food security. However, the intensive and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers over the years has led to several concerns, including soil degradation, nutrient imbalances, and declining soil health. This has necessitated a shift towards integrated and organic nutrient management practices that enhance crop productivity while maintaining soil fertility and biological activity. Among the various organic sources of nutrients, farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost are widely recognized for their ability to improve soil structure, enhance nutrient availability and support microbial populations. Another promising input is Jeevamrit, a traditional liquid organic formulation prepared from cow-based products (cow dung and cow urine) along with jaggery and pulse flour. Jeevamrit is reported to stimulate microbial activity in the soil, enhance nutrient mineralization, and act as a carrier of plant growth-promoting microbes, thereby improving both the chemical and biological properties of the soil. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Jeevamrit in combination with FYM and vermicompost on soil chemical and biological properties under rice cultivation. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the role of organic nutrient sources in sustaining soil fertility and productivity of rice-based systems.

Materials and Methods

Recommended doses of N: P: K-120:60:40 kg ha -1 and FYM @ 24 t ha -1 through VC and FYM were computed on account of N equivalence. Before transplanting full amount of VC and FYM were applied and mixed with soil. After transplanting, concentrated jeevamrit was applied according to treatments. The experimental plants were given uniform recommended cultural practices during the entire course of investigation.

Preparation of jeevamrit

• Fresh cow dung (10Kg) and cow urine (10 L) was added in water.

• Jaggery (2 Kg), pulse flour (1Kg) and live soil (1 Kg) were mixed in 200 L of water. • The above mixture was stirred properly (morning and evening) for 4 days for 5-10 minutes. • On 12 th day the solution was filtered and filtrate was ready for soil drenching per spray. [8] 2.

EC (dS m -1 ) 0.22 Normal Conductivity salt Bridge by Black (1965) [2] 3.

Organic carbon (%) 0.60 Medium Walkley Black's Rapid Titration Method (1934) [14] 4.

Available N (kg ha -1 ) 209.88 Low Alkaline Permanganate method by Subbiah and Asija (1956) [12] 5.

Available P (kg ha -1 ) 13.50 Medium 0.5 M NaHCO3 by Olsen (1954) [7] 6.

Results and Discussion

Plant height was significantly increased with different nutrient practices on rice which ranged between 100.09 to 126.10 cm. The maximum value of plant height (126.10 cm) was reported in the treatment (T 6 ) 50% RDF + 50% N through Vermicompost + 2 application of jeevamrit at 30 days interval. The lowest plant height (100.09 cm) was reported in (T 1 ) control. Similar results have been reported by Ahmad and Tripathi (2022) [1] .

Number of effective tillers per hill at harvest

The number of effective tillers were significantly increased with different nutrient practices on rice which ranged between 5 to 10.02 tillers hill -1 . The maximum number of effective tiller (10.02) was reported in the treatment (T 6 ) 50% RDF + 50% N through Vermicompost + 2 application of jeevamrit at 30 days interval and the lowest number of effective tiller (5) was reported in (T 1 ) control. Similar results have been reported by Verma et al. (2024) [13] .

Number of filled grains per panicle

The number of filled grains panicle -1 were significantly increased with different nutrient practices on rice which ranged between 90.70 to 114.10 grains panicle -1 . The maximum number of filled grains (114.10) was reported in the treatment (T 6 ) 50% RDF + 50% N through Vermicompost + 2 application of jeevamrit at 30 days interval and the lowest number of filled grains (90.70) was reported in (T 1 ) control. Similar findings were seen by Sharma et al. (2024) [10] on rice.

Test weight differed non-significantly. The range of test weight varied between 20.56 to 21.72 g. Ghasal et al. (2024) [3] found similar data pertaining to test weight.

Grain and straw yield (q ha -1 ) was significantly increased with different nutrient practices on rice which ranged between 30.95 to 64.61 q ha -1 and 47.56 to 80.56 q ha -1 respectively. The higher grain yield (64.61 q ha -1 ) and straw yield (80.56 q ha -1 ) was reported in the treatment (T 6 ) 50% RDF + 50% N through Vermicompost + 2 application of jeevamrit at 30 days interval and the lowest value of grain (30.95 q ha -1 ) and straw yield (47.56 q ha -1 ) was reported in (T 1 ) control. The results are also in conformity with findings of Kumar et al. (2014) [5] .

Effect of different nutrient management on chemical properties of soil pH, EC and OC

In Table 3, it is noticeable that no treatment had a significant effect on pH, EC and OC during the period of investigation. The values of pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon ranged from 7.11 to 7.20, 0.20 to 0.25 dSm -1 and 0.60 to 0.65%, respectively.

Available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and available micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn)

In Table 4, it is noticeable that the available nitrogen (kg ha -1 ) was significantly increased with different nutrient practices on rice which ranged between 195.36 to 210.31 kg ha -1 . The higher available nitrogen (210.31 kg ha -1 ) was reported in the treatment (T 6 ) 50% RDF + 50% N through Vermicompost + 2 application of jeevamrit at 30 days interval and the lowest value of available nitrogen (195.36 kg ha -1 ) was reported (T 1 ) control. Similar results were observed by Sharma et. al. (2022) [11] .

In Table 4, it is observed that no treatment had a significant effect on available phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and available micronutrients.

Effect of different nutrient management on viable microbial activity of soil Bacterial and Fungal Population

The bacterial and fungal population of rice soil is enhanced by various different nutrient practices. The maximum bacterial population (45.33 x 10 7 CFU g -1 ) fungal population (15.67 x 10 4 CFU g -1 ) was recorded in (T 5 ) 75% N through Vermicompost + 4 application of jeevamrit at 20 days interval and lowest population (15.00 x 10 7 CFU g -1 ) was recorded in (T 1 ) control. Similar result also observed by Rathod et al. (2018) [9] and Sharma et al. (2022) [11] .

Conclusion

The study clearly indicates that integrated nutrient management significantly influence the growth and yield of rice. It also enhances the chemical and biological properties of soil. Among the treatments, application of 50% RDF + 50% N through Vermicompost + 2 application of jeevamrit at 30 days interval proved most effective, showing superior performance in yield and yield attributes of plant, along with improved post-harvest soil nutrient status. However, Application of fertilizer in combination with FYM, vermicompost and jeevamrit under INM significantly influenced on soil microbial population. Maximum load of microbial population was found with application of 75% N through Vermicompost + 4 application of jeevamrit at 20 days interval treatments as compared to other and minimal value of microbial population were found under control plots. Finally, it can be concluded that the combined use of 50% RDF, 50% vermicompost, and jeevamrit effectively enhances soil fertility, supports microbial diversity, and optimizes rice yield, making it a viable and sustainable practice for long-term soil and crop health.

References

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