Standardization of production technique of liquid organic manure (Panchagavya) for soil health and crop productivity

Abstract

The study, “Standardization of production technique of liquid organic manure (Panchagavya) for soil health and crop productivity,” aimed at standardizing Panchagavya production to reduce local variability, evaluating its chemical properties, and assessing its impact on soil health and crop productivity using bhindi (var. Anjitha) as a test crop. The research was divided into two parts: standardizing the Panchagavya production method and evaluating its influence on soil health and crop productivity. To determine the optimal composition, the study used eight ingredients in 81 combinations, testing four key components (cow urine, ghee, milk and curd) in varying amounts, while keeping the levels of cow dung, coconut water, jaggery and banana constant. The design followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two replications. The Panchagavya preparations were analyzed for physical and chemical properties, and a germination study evaluated their phytostimulant potential. Based on this, the 20 most effective treatments were selected, and their biochemical constituents were analyzed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was then conducted to select the top ten treatments, followed by a microbial count analysis. The Panchagavya preparations from all treatments had an acidic pH, ranging from 5.11 to 5.76. Electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 6.00 dS m-1 to 7.15 dS m-1, and nutrient content varied significantly across treatments, with T81 generally having the highest values. The nitrogen levels varied from 1.12 per cent to 2.66 per cent, phosphorus from 0.12 per cent to 0.39 per cent, and potassium from 0.35 per cent to 0.66 per cent. Calcium content ranged from 186.30 mg L-1 to 256.60 mg L-1, while micronutrients like Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were also measured, with T81 often exhibiting the highest concentrations. All Panchagavya preparations improved bhindi seed germination compared to the control, though differences between treatments were not statistically significant. Root length ranged from 2.40 cm in T1 to 4.98 cm in T81 which showing a 114.66 per cent increase over the control. Based on the germination study, the top 20 treatments were selected. Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Gibberellic acid (GA) concentrations were highest 187

in T81 and lowest in T54 among these treatments. Ten treatments were further screened through PCA: T59, T60, T61, T62, T67, T68, T69, T70, T76 and T77. Among these, T70 showed the highest bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetes counts, indicating a robust microbial presence. To evaluate field-level effects, a pot experiment was conducted using the selected treatments (as T1–T10), a KAU POP recommendation (Crops, 2016) (T11) and a control without the application of any fertilizers of manures (T12). Post-harvest soil analysis indicated that Panchagavya-treated soils had lower bulk density and higher organic carbon content compared to the control. Treatments T8, T4, T7 and T10 showed the highest nutrient availability, including N, P and K and high values for microbial counts and soil enzyme activities like urease and dehydrogenase, enhancing soil health. Plant growth parameters in the pot experiment showed that T8 produced the tallest plants (137 cm), with the highest dry matter (73.93 g/plant) and chlorophyll content. Yield parameters, including fruit length, girth, number of fruits and average fruit weight, were also highest in T8, resulting in the highest total fruit yield per plant (365.04 g). Treatments T4, T7 and T10 performed in a similar manner with high protein content, low crude fibre, and high ascorbic acid in fruits. Nutrient analysis of bhindi shoots and fruits revealed that T8-treated plants had the highest concentrations of essential macro- and micronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu), indicating enhanced nutrient uptake with no significant difference between treatments T4, T7 and T10. The highest Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio was recorded in T8 and T4 (1.69). The results of the pot culture experiment indicated that treatment T8 (U12G1M3C2.5) exhibited superior quality effects on bhindi productivity, with no significant difference between the treatments T4, T7 and T10. Based on the B:C ratio analysis, treatment T4 was found to have a lower cost compared to treatment T8, making it a more economically viable option for farmers, which comprises of Panchagavya prepared with 2 L of cow urine, 0.75 kg of ghee, 4 L of milk, 2 L of curd, 7 kg of cow dung, 3 L of tender coconut water, 3 kg of jaggery, and 0.5 kg of ripe poovan banana.