AN ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY OF ORGANIC FARMING

PANCHACAVYA

AMIT KUMAR
Department of Agronomy, C.P. College of Agriculture,
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University,-385506
Gujarat

Introduction

Organic Iarming in recent years is gaining impetus due to realization oI inherent
advantages it conIers in sustaining crop production and also in maintaining dynamic soil
nutrient status and saIe environment (Lokanath and Parameshwarappa, 2006). Farmyard
manure, compost, vermicompost, green manuring, agro-wastes and plant wastes Irom
sources imply both Ior sustainability oI soil organic carbon (Tolanur and Badanur, 2003)
and supply oI plant nutrients in traditional organic Iarming. In the existing technology oI
organic Iarming where FYM and compost are used as sources oI nutrient supply,
productivity oI soil depletes during the transitory period (until Iertility, structure and
microbial activity oI soil have been restored) leading to low yield levels in initial years oI
cultivation (Natarajan, 2002). Besides, in the light textured soils oI arid and semi-arid
regions bulky organic materials remain in undecomposed state Ior years due to inherent
deIiciency oI soil organic carbon and microbial biomass responsible Ior decomposition oI
these materials. Hence it is imperative to evolve an alternative technology oI organic
Iarming that provides reasonable yields while restoring the Iertility oI soil during
transitory period. The use oI Iermented, liquid organic Iertilizers, eIIective
microorganisms (EM) as Ioliar Iertilizers have been introduced to modern agriculture in
recent years to produce Iood with good quality and saIety (Galindo et al., 2007). Use oI
Iermented curd, rich in beneIicial microorganisms, is also practiced elsewhere both to
augment plant growth and suppress pest loads on crop plants. The beneIits oI EM in
increasing crop yields, improving crop quality and protecting plant Irom pests and
disease have been demonstrated Ior a wide range oI crops and soil conditions. The use oI
Iermented cow dung, urine, milk Iat, curd and milk with the name oI Panchagavya is
getting adaptive popularity in Indian agriculture largely through the eIIorts oI small
groups oI Iarmers. Role oI Ioliar applied Panchagavya in production oI many plantation
crops had been well documented in India (Selvaraj, 2003). The present investigation was
hypothesized to examine the eIIect oI Ioliar application oI 3 per cent Panchagavya on
diIIerent physiological parameters.


Panchagavya
Panchagavya` is one such organic product Ior plants. It is an Organic Plant Liquid
Fertilizer. It is a Organic growth Stimulant Ior all types oI plants, Milch Animals, Goat,
Poultry, Fish, Pet Animals etc., Panchagavya is also a traditional method, used to
saIeguard plants and soil micro-organisms and to increase plant production. Panchagavya
application is Iound to be more proIitable than recommended Iertilizer application and
chemical spray. The modiIied versions used Ior organic Iarming have been standardized
by experimental trials.
Uses of Panchagavya:
Increases immunity oI plants and other living organisms to Iight diseases; cures already
inIested plants and other living organisms
Stimulates growth oI plants with more branches;
Sustains drought Conditions;
Increases yield.
Panchagavya: How to Make

In Sanskrit, Panchagavya means the blend oI Iive products obtained Irom cow.
(All these Iive products are individually called Gavya` and collectively termed as
Panchagavya`) It contains ghee, milk, curd, cow dung and cow`s urine. Panchagavya had
reverence in the scripts oI Vedas (Devine scripts oI Indian wisdom) and Vrkshyurveda
(Vrksha means plants and ayurveda means health system).
The texts on Vrkshayurveda are systematizations oI the practices the Iarmers
Iollowed at Iield level, placed in a theoretical Iramework and it deIined certain plant
growth stimulants; among them Panchagavya was an important one that enhanced the
biological eIIiciency oI crop plants and the quality oI Iruits and vegetables (Natarajan,
2002).
For making approx. 20 litres oI panchagavya you need the Iollowing:
Contents Volume
Fresh cow dung kg
Fresh cow`s urine 3 liters
Cow`s milk 2 liters
Cow`s curd 2 litters
Cow`s ghee 00 gm
toddy 00 gm
Water or sugarcane juice 3 liters
Ripe banana Iruit 1 bunch (12
nos.)
Tender coconut water 3 liters
Jaggery 2 liters

(II toddy is not available, you can Ierment 3 liters oI tender coconut water by keeping it
in a pot Ior 1 week. That will become toddy. )

Method of preparation:

Take kg oI Iresh cow dung and mix it thoroughly with 00 gm oI cow`s ghee
and keep it in a plastic drum or a mud pot. It should not be kept in a metal
container because it will corrode and react with the metal. Keep the ghee and the
cow dung mixture Ior 4 days, mixing it twice a day.

On the
th
day add cow`s urine, cow`s milk (cow`s milk can be boiled, cooled and
then added) and cow`s curd, then jaggery with water or sugarcane juice and
banana Iruit (which has to be mashed and mixed thoroughly.) Then tender coconut
water has to be added.

Wait Ior another 1 days, stirring twice daily. Stirring the contents Ior about 20
minutes each time Iacilitates aerobic microbial activity.

On the 19th day the panchagavya solution will be ready. This solution must be
kept under a net, i.e. it must be covered with a muslin or Iine cloth so that the
common Ily cannot sit on it and lay eggs. For use aIter 19
th
day, stir the mixture at
least once a day to aerate it.

Application

200 ml oI this solution can be diluted with 10 liters oI water with proper stirring
Ior Spraying on plants. For soil application, dilute 1000 ml in 10 liters oI water.

Periodicity oI use-
Once in 1 days, it can be used Ior all crops. In winter crops, 1.-2 usage is
suIIicient but Ior all other crops 3 should be used.

Role of Panchagavya in crop production

Many Iarmers Irom their experience revealed the growth promoting eIIect oI
panchagavya, especially in the cultivation oI rice, mango etc. Moreover, it helps to
preserve the quality oI crops, soil and environment. It contains several micro and macro
nutrients, beneIicial microorganisms like bacteria and Iungi which promote plant growth.
Panchagavya also acts as an eIIective pest repellant. Spraying panchagavya is highly
eIIective in controlling the Iruit Ily menace in mango trees. Moreover, panchagavya
along with Vermicompost has been observed to enhance the quantity and quality oI Iruits
in mango. Vermicompost 10 kg and one liter panchagavya diluted in 30 liters oI water
must be sprayed over the crown (Ioliage) and at the base oI trees oI bearing
age. Panchagavya alone may be sprayed at the crown and base beIore the Ilowering Ior
enhancing the blooming process. The spraying must be repeated at 1-20 days interval
till the Ilowers turn into small Iruits. Then the spraying must be repeated at monthly
interval. This treatment is highly eIIective Ior improving the size, number and color oI
Iruits. Moreover, this organic treatment oI Vermicompost and panchagavya help the
trees to be large leaves Iorming a proIuse canopy and dense rooting system. The taste
and shelI liIe also could be improved by this practice.
Studies conducted at Agricultural Universities oI India, revealed the eIIiciency oI
panchagavya to improve yield attributes, grain yield and economics oI
cultivation. Moreover, parameters like grain size, 1000 grain weight and milling quality
and cooking qualities like cooking time, volume expansion ratio and water absorption
ratio. Also, higher sensory scores were obtained as compared to the recommended NPK
through chemical Iertilizers.
Panchagavya enhances growth and induces quick Ilowering, besides imparting resistance
to pests and diseases. It also helps to advance this maturity oI crops. In commercial
Ilowers crops like jasmine, it ensures continuous Ilowering. Spraying two rounds oI
panchagavya one beIore the Ilower initiation and another during pod / Iruit setting phase
is providing quick Ilowering and thereby increases the productivity. In jasmine it ensures
continuous Ilowering. In moringa with synchronized Ilowering and doubled the yield oI
Moringa pods. It can be used Ior groundnut, turmeric and many other crops. Seed
materials also can be treated by soaking tem in panchagavya Ior about 2 hours. Seedlings
can be dipped in this Ior Iew minutes to wet their root zone beIore planting.
The uniqueness oI panchagavya is that it provides growth promoting hormones and
immunity boosters Ior plants. This can be used Ior seed/sapling treatments and also to
control the spread oI seed borne diseases. Panchagavya may be applied Ior any crop and
the application period is very important and hence it must be careIully planned. Adding
panchagavya during the composting process helps to improve the quality oI
compost. Using panchagavya also helps to increase the yield and quality oI the
products. Compared to chemical Iertilizers, this is less expensive and more eco-Iriendly
with no side eIIects.
References

Lokanath, H.M. and Parameshwarappa, K.G., 2006.EIIect oI organics on the productivity
oI Spanish bunch groundnut under rainIed Iarming situations. In: Proceedings oI
18th 47ld C437ess 41 S4l Sce3ce. pp. 62-63. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Tolanur, S.I. and Badanur, U.P., 2003. EIIect oI integrated use oI organic manures, green
manure and Iertilizer nitrogen on sustaining productivity oI rabi sorghum-chickpea
system and Iertility oI a vertisol. The f4:73al 41 the I3da3 s4cety 41 S4l Sce3ce
51: 41-44.

Natarajan, K., 2002. Panchagavya- a manual. pp. 13-27. Other India Press, Mapusa, Goa,
India.

Galindo, A., Jeronimo, C., Spaans, E., and Weil, M., 2007. An introduction to modern
agriculture. Tierra Tropical 3(1): 91-96.

Selvaraj, N., 2003. Report on Organic Farming at Horticulture Research Station, Tamil
Nadu Agricultural University, Ooty, 2003-04. pp. 2-.
Dr.SINDHU., 2007. Panchagavya a wonderIul plant growth enhancer, The Health Rebel