Promoting plant health and a living soil in organic, natural, sustainable agriculture - Presentations from the South Asia Conference on "Outstanding Organic Agriculture Techniques", Bangalore organised by OFAI (2009)

Healthy fields: Managing plant health

This presentation by S R Sundaraman of Tamil Nadu Farmers Technology Association, Erode on managing plant health begins with an account of the techniques that can be employed in TNRH 29 rice through organic SRI methods. The following are recommended in harvesting stage – (a) four irrigations with fruit gaudi (b) two applications of MEM (c) application of four sprays and (d) four applications of parasites. The growth promoters used are Archea solution, Concentrated Amudham Sol, Panchakavya, Butter Milk Sol, Fish/Egg Extract, Leaf Extract Solution-pest control and TFPE-MN Supplements. Apart from rice, the other crops dealt with are maize, kadali banana, turmeric, sugarcane and vegetables.

How to make soil Amrut Mitti (Fertile nursery soil)

This paper by

Studying this will help us prepare our own Amrut Mitti by using the resources available in our environment. This is a simple science which will bring prosperity to all. We are using nature’s bounty without destroying Mother Earth and in the process growing organic fruit, vegetable and grain, all wholesome and free from poisons. By doing so the farmer will become the caretaker of the earth in a real sense.

Life in the soil

Analysis of liquid manures and their use

This presentation by Dr N Deva Kumar, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore is based on analytical studies of Beejamrutha, Jeevamrutha and Panchagavya. It begins with a discussion on preparation of these, their nutrient content in terms of N, P, K, pH, Mn and Cu, microbial studies of Beejamrutha and Jeevamrutha. The use of liquid manures in rice and fieldbean is dealt with. The presentation also deals with seedling treatment, application of Jeevamrutha, spraying of Panchagavya at different stages of crop growth, mulching at different crop growth stages. It also discusses the effect of organic farming and the Palekar method, Panchgavya method, seedling treatment of cultivation on yield of paddy including straw yield etc.

Panchgavya: A versatile potentiator for living beings

Earthworms for organic farmers

This paper by Sultan Ahmed Ismail, discusses the positive effect of earthworms on the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the soils. The earthworm is a soil biotechnologist and a solid waste manager. Earthworms are known to consume large quantities of organic litter or waste and convert them into manure, which is used as valuable compost, known as ‘vermicompost’. The paper deals with some facts about earthworms, its life cycle, its classification into surface dwellers and sub-surface dwellers, the identification of worm-inhabited soils by observing earthworm castings on the soil surface. It also deals with vermicomposting as a scientific process of organised decomposition with the assistance of several soil organisms under proper conditions of moisture and aeration. This has been successfully implemented for domestic use, agricultural use, and in several other places in organic waste management. The paper concludes with a section on frequently asked questions about earthworms.

Role of Termites in Organic Farming

This presentation by Dr Pachegaonkar, Ex. Deputy Director of Department of Animal Husbandry, Latur, Maharashtra deals with the role of termites in agriculture. Termites are small antlike social soil animals of the order of Isoptera. The presentation attempts to dispel the notion that termites are notorious for their voracious appetite for Lignocelluloses i.e. timber, wood, cotton, jute and paper etc causing damages more than earthquake and fire. It highlights how termites are important in rehabilitations of degraded soil, survival of forest by recycling nutrients taken from soil by trees and plants.

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