Effect of natural and organic farming components on physico-chemical properties of soil

Introduction

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the most popular and celebrated tropical fruit which belongs to the family Anacardiaceae order Sapindales and originated from the Indo-burma region. Due to its high palatability, excellent taste, flavour and exemplary medicinal and nutritional values it is said to be the "King of Tropical Fruits". Mango has been cultivated for thousands of years in India and its cultivation is as old as Indian civilization. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to a rapid deterioration in the nutritional and biological status of mango orchards; ultimately resulting in reduced tree vigour and lower fruit yields. Moreover, there is a strong link between soil quality and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. The SOC content of Indian soils has been severely depleted over recent years due to intensive cropping, and is often below the critical limit for soil and ecosystem functions. Increasing concerns for environmental and human health have stimulated interest in organic as well as natural mango production. Organic manures may be a viable alternative, or a partial substitute, for inorganic chemical fertilizers. Natural farming is one solution towards reduction the hazards arrised due to farming using only chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Plenty of organic resources are present in the farm, these resources can be utilized to improve the soil health in respect of physical, chemical and biological properties of soil which helps in obtaining good yield. The efficiency and efficacy of some cowpathy like Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut and Gliricidia leaf extract are known to enhance the biological efficiency of plants and improve soil health. These natural products seem to enhance the productivity of different crops by suppressing the growth of various plant pathogens by producing antibacterial and antifungal compounds (Palekar, 2006) [6] . Incorporation of nutrient rich tree leaves, especially leaves of leguminous plants like Gliricidia has come into limelight as a solution towards improving soil fertility due to its profuse growth, deciduous nature, rapid decomposition rate and higher nutrient content. Mulching is an agricultural and horticultural technique which helps in increasing crop yield by reducing the cost of production, lowering weed growth and by conserving soil moisture. It improves the physical and chemical qualities of the soil and availability of nutrient pool and biological qualities by increasing beneficial soil microbes. (Kaur and Kaundal, 2009) [5] . On the other hand, the cost of inorganic fertilizers is increasing enormously and are now out of reach of small and marginal farmers.

Due to continuous use of inorganic fertilizers and insecticides, the population of beneficial organisms decreases and natural regeneration of nutrition in the soil is also ceases. The use of fermented liquid manures in such situation is, therefore practically a paying proposal. In these liquid manures, beneficial organisms survive and are helpful in phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation etc. Application of these organic liquid formulations will enhance the soil microbial activity and population to a larger extent, has a positive effect on growth and yield of crops.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted at the Regional Rice Research Station, Musa Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Vyara, during the years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The experiment was laid out in Large Plot Technique. Six farming modules viz., M-1: Ghan Jeevamrut-5.0 kg + Jeevamrut-10 l (soil application) + Jeevamrut 10% (Foliar spray), M-2: FYM-100 kg + Gliricidia leaf extract 10 l (Soil application) + Gliricidia leaf extract 10% (Foliar spray), M-3: FYM-75 kg + Gliricidia leaf extract 7.5 l (soil application) + Gliricidia leaf extract 5% (Foliar spray), M-4: Ghan Jeevamrut-5.0 kg + Jeevamrut-10 l (soil application) + Gliricidia leaf extract 5% (Foliar spray), M-5: FYM-50 kg + Gliricidia leaf extract 10 l (soil application) + Jeevamrut 5% (Foliar spray) and M-6: Ghan Jeevamrut-5 kg + Gliricidia leaf extract 10 l (soil application) + Jeevamrut 5% (Foliar spray) were applied with three replications. Foliar sprays of Jeevamrut and Gliricidia leaf extract were given from end of September up to initiation of flowering at monthly interval. Soil application of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut and Gliricidia leaf extract were given from July up to 8 months (at monthly interval). FYM were applied as soil application in July. Mulching was common with paddy straw.

The data pertaining to available nitrogen in soil as influenced by different applications of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut, FYM and Gliricidia leaf extract are presented in Table 1. The results revealed that the different modules showed significant effect on available nitrogen in soil.

Among the different modules, significantly higher available nitrogen in soil (329.08 kg/ha) was recorded under module M-1: [Ghan Jeevamrut @ 5.0 kg + Jeevamrut @ 10 l (soil application) along with Jeevamrut 10% as foliar spray]. Module M-1 was found to be at par with M-4. Application of Jeevamrut and Ghan Jeevamrut increased the availability of nutrients due to enhanced population of soil micro flora resulting in increased bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes population and higher enzyme activity in the soil and also due to increasing earthworm activity in soil which helps in faster decomposition of organic matter that ultimately add the nutrient to the soil (Ravi et al., 2022) [7] . Similar results were reported by Chaithra (2018) as they observed significantly higher nitrogen content in soil due to application of Jeevamrut as compared to without Jeevamrut application. Findings of Gohil (2023) [3] in pomegranate, Gore and Srinivas (2011) [9] in tomato.

The data pertaining to available phosphorus (P₂O₅) in soil as influenced by different applications of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut, FYM and Gliricidia leaf extract are presented in Table 1. The results revealed that the effect of different modules on available P₂O₅ in soil was found to be nonsignificant.

The data pertaining to available potassium (K₂O) in soil as influenced by different applications of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut, FYM and Gliricidia leaf extract are presented in Table 1. The results revealed that the different modules showed significant effect on available K₂O in soil. Among the different modules, significantly higher available K₂O in soil (346.50 kg/ha) was recorded under module M-1: [Ghan Jeevamrut @ 5.0 kg + Jeevamrut @ 10 l (soil application) along with Jeevamrut 10% as foliar spray]. Module M-1 was found to be at par M-4. The increase in available potassium in soil is due to the decomposition products of organic matter which contain various organic acids, might have aided in the release of non-exchangeable K to the water-soluble forms (Ravi et al. 2022) [7] . These findings are in close accordance with the result of Gore and Srinivas (2011) [9] in tomato.

Soil pH

The data pertaining to soil pH as influenced by different applications of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut, FYM and Gliricidia leaf extract are presented in Table 2. The results revealed that the effect of different modules on soil pH was found to be non-significant.

The data with respect to soil electrical conductivity as influenced by different applications of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut, FYM and Gliricidia leaf extract heir pooled analysis are presented in Table 2. The results revealed that the effect of different modules on soil electrical conductivity was found to be non-significant.

The data pertaining to soil organic carbon content as influenced by different applications of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut, FYM and Gliricidia leaf extract are presented in Table 2. The results revealed that the effect of different modules on soil organic carbon content was found to be significant. Among the different modules, significantly higher soil organic carbon content (0.797%) was recorded under module M-1: [Ghan Jeevamrut @ 5.0 kg + Jeevamrut @ 10 l (soil application) along with Jeevamrut 10% as foliar spray]. Module M-1 was found to be at par with M-4. The significant increase in soil organic carbon content might be due to the rapid decomposition of organic matter applied through mulching and Ghan Jeevamrut. The application of Jeevamrut at frequent intervals help to increase the soil biological activity in the soil ultimately changed the physico-chemical properties of soil. These findings are supported by Ravi et al. (2022) [7] . Similar results have also been reported by Upperi et al. (2008) [10] and Saharan et al.

The data pertaining to soil microbial count as influenced by different applications of Ghan Jeevamrut, Jeevamrut, FYM and Gliricidia leaf extract are presented in Table 2. The results revealed that the effect of different modules on soil microbial count was found to be significant. Among the different modules, significantly higher soil microbial count (6.73 ×10⁶ CFU/g) was recorded under module M-1: [Ghan Jeevamrut @ 5.0 kg + Jeevamrut @ 10 l (soil application) along with Jeevamrut 10% as foliar spray]. Palekar (2006) [6] reported that Jeevamrut contains enormous amount of microbial load which multiplies in the soil and acts as a tonic to enhance microbial activity in soil. Vasanthkumar (2006) [11] reported that Jeevamrut is a fermented liquid product which contains higher microbial load when applied to soil enhance the soil biomass and improves the soil health. Similar result also reported by Devakumar et al.

Conclusion

The results of the present investigation indicated that application of Ghan Jeevamrut @ 5.0 kg + Jeevamrut @ 10 l (Soil application up to 8 month) along with Jeevamrut 10% as foliar spray (end of September to initiation of flowering at monthly interval) followed by Ghan Jeevamrut @ 5.0 kg + Jeevamrut @ 10 l (Soil application up to 8 month) along with Gliricidia leaf extract 5% (end of September to initiation of flowering at monthly interval) as foliar spray improve soil properties.

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