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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

VermiCompost


Vermicomposting is the biological degradation and
stabilization of organic waste by earthworms and microorganisms
to form vermicompost. This is an essential part in organic
farming today. It can be easily prepared, has excellent
properties, and is harmless to plants. The earthworms
fragment the organic waste substrates, stimulate microbial
activity greatly and increase rates of mineralization.
These rapidly convert the waste into humus-like substances
with finer structure than thermophilic composts but possessing
a greater and more diverse micro-bial activity.

Vermicompost being a stable fine granular organic matter,
when added to clay soil loosens the soil and improves the
passage for the entry of air. The mucus associated with
the cast being hydroscopic absorbs water and prevents
water logging and improves water-holding capacity. The
organic carbon in vermicompost releases the nutrients
slowly and steadily into the system and enables the plant
to absorb these nutrients. The soil enriched with vermincompost
provides additional substances that are not
found in chemical fertilizers.
Many agricultural industries use compost, cattle dung
and other animal excreta to grow plants. In today’s
society, we are faced with the dilemma of getting rid of
waste from our industries, household etc. In order for us
to practice effective waste management we can utilize
the technology of vermicomposting to effectively manage
our waste. This process allows us to compost the
degradable materials and at the same time utilize the
products obtained after composting to enhance crop
production.

Standard VermiCompost Nutrient Parameters

pH 6.12 ± 0.03
Total salts (ppm) 3148.67 ± 48.58
Total Nitrogen (%) 1.11 ± 0.05
Organic carbon (%) 9.77 ± 5.05
C/N ratio 8.80
Available phosphate (ppm) 597.67 ± 0.58
Calcium (ppm) 322.33 ± 24.91
Magnesium (ppm) 137.33 ± 19.50
Potassium (ppm) 2428.33 ± 326.28
Manganese (ppm) 0.69 ± 0.01
Iron (ppm) 0.11 ± 0.01
Copper (ppm) 0.01 ± 00

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Soil Fertility


Every time, in my farm i meet visiting farmers. Often they ask how much i spend on fertilizers. usual rural mis conception is better the spending better will be the yields. Fertilizer they mean chemical fertilizer like Urea, DAP and Complex....Etc. I always say i dont know much about them and i use it only on some wise neighboring wisdom or on recommendation by Agri geeks.
Over the days i am been enquiste to understand what are these and how do they impact on the ecology. What i understand with my little nature experimentation is nature is well equipped to sustain itself, what it needs from us is to work with it not against it.
To give you an example gravity is nature we all know if we throw the ball up it will come down thats nature, working to keep it afloat, i would say against the nature.
Although as science students we always challenge the nature and take credit when we are able to achieve against the nature laws. Don't mistake me, I am perfectly fine with the design of aeroplanes, helicopters, rockets etc. they are all exploiting the laws of the nature for good, but there is a limit to it, crossing the limit is violation of nature which will effect adversely. Even Newton has proved in his 3rd law of motion "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction". we all know whats the adverse effect of flying machines on our ozone layer !!
Well scientific research and benefits of it to the mankind is a endless list and a good topic for debate.
Talking about cultivation, what is the science in it?? its purely nature.
Nature sets the season, seed is germinated, plant grows, flowers, pollination happens, fruits set, they ripen, seeds are back set to the ground at a right time to complete the cycle.
Tell me what is science in it, its purely nature. Science can help us study the nature and define laws to help it rather than replace it.

Mother nature biggest gift to us all is Soil, What is Soil?

Soil is natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thickness.
Soil particles pack loosely, forming a soil structure filled with pore spaces. These pores contain soil solution (liquid) and air (gas). Accordingly, soils are often treated as a three state system. Soil is also known as earth: it is the substance from which our planet takes its name.

Soil is the fundamental base on which we all stand same is with plants, Plants base them selves in soil and grows from it. they spread there roots in it and harness the mineral base, solution and gas pockets to grow.

so then what is the differentiating factor for the growth of plants under ideal environmental circumstances. its the soil fertility. apart from the air, water, proper sunlight what can differentiate the growth of plants is Soil strength or Soil fertility!!

Hence lets see with the nature how Soil fertility is defined and how we can work to improve it.
Soil fertility is dependent on 2 other parameters Soil Nutrients, and Soil structure.

Soil Nutrients : As defined earlier Soil is made up of layers of mineral constituents, Plant will need Micro and Macro nutritive base in the soil to grow and flourish. Macro nutrients are commonly known as NPK. Nitrogen, Potash and Potassium. balanced ratio of these nutrients are important apart from these, soil should contain sufficient minerals (trace elements) for plant nutrition, including boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulfur, and zinc. Over above all there are set of micro organisms work on the soil organic matter fixing back many of the nutrient base used by vegetation. Vegetative growth above the soil and below the soil is self balancing. Any nutrient deficiency can be met by adding more bio degradable organic waste to the soil, in turn help the micro organisms to grow to improve the fertility.

Takeaway: Add more organic bio degradable mass to the soil to help with the fertility, where there is acute shortage some amounts of nutrients may have to be supplemented for a brief duration, science can help with the quantity of supplementation by doing a simple soil tests.

No No: without understanding the soil nutrient deficiency, just feeding the macro nutrients can be adverse and reduce the micro organism population reducing the land to go barren.

Soil Structure: is the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates. These may have various shapes, sizes and degrees of development or expression. Soil structure affects aeration, water movement, resistance to erosion and plant root growth. Structure often gives clues to texture, organic matter content, biological activity, past soil evolution, human use, and chemical and mineralogical conditions under which the soil formed.
make the soil porus to allow air to pass through and help with water retention, this can be achieved by natural tilling, substituting the tractor tilling. Encourage organisms to grow who will supplement the work of tractor, encourage organisms like ants, earthworms who are natural soil tillers, By increasing the bio degradable content within the soil it also increases these organisms who feed on them and in turn help you with improving the Soil structure.

Takeaway: Encourage organic manuring to attract natural soil tillers who will work effortlessly to improve the soil structure of your land.

No No: use of chemical treatments and pesticides may kill the organisms establishment and may take years to regroup and work.

To summaries my blog i would say to increase your yields work on your Soil fertility, provide enough organic degradable bio mass, supplement with the best available options for the deficiencies and help in increasing non demanding organisms, micro organisms labour force to your advantage:)

Happy Farming, Happy Experimenting.

-Suraj

Friday, January 21, 2011

Azolla the Super -Plant



Azolla is one of the waterborne blue green algae or fern which is mainly used as organic fertilizer in rice field in many part of world. Azolla floats on the surface of water by means of numerous, small, closely-overlapping scale-like leaves, with their roots hanging in the water. They form a symbiotic relationship with the cyan bacterium Anabaena azollae, which fixes atmospheric nitrogen, giving the plant access to the essential nutrient. This has led to the plant being dubbed a "super-plant", as it can readily colonize areas of freshwater, and grow at great speed - doubling its biomass every two to three days.

Azolla leaves have small vacuum in upper part which consist of Blue green algae called as “ANABINA AZOLLY” which fixes nitrogen from surrounding environment. There is symbiosis between Azolla & blue green algae in which nitrogen required for Azolla provided by blue green algae & algae requires some essential nutrients from Azolla. As far as use of Azolla for milch animal is concerned, now a day’s, there is much attention on the aspect of animal nutrition and Azolla. Azolla has abundant amount of proteins & vitamins.

Azolla consist 25 to 35% proteins as well as Ferrous, Copper, Magnesium in good proportion than that of ordinary fodder grasses, if we use Azolla in feed of milch animals then milk production will increase.

It has also high palatability making it a boon to the dairy farmers, Azolla with its high protein content has good potential to replace the proportions of concentrate feed used as part of daily diet of dairy animals.

As part of pilot experiments it is also observed that by feeding 1 kg of Azolla there is jump of 1-2 liters of milk yield per cow.

Translating the same economically to the farmer, per serving he can save on the concentrate feed and get more milk with more returns?

Daily feeding Azolla increases the protein content of the milk and will provide better nutrition to the cattle.

How to grow it:

Choose a shady place; prepare a pit of 10x10 ft with 20 inches depth, clean the edges and base of the pit should be kept level. Put the plastic paper over the pit to stretch to the bottom sides so that it forms a structure of water holding tank. Elevate the edges using mud or bricks so to prevent from flooding. Secure the sides of the plastics with hard stones or heavy materials. Pore water in the tank to the brim and mix it with 5 kgs of fertile mud.

Prepare dung mixture with 5 kg cow dung, 30 gm super phosphate with 20 liters of water.

Introduce the dung mixture into the pond and stir well so that the contents are thoroughly mixed. Add 1- 2 kg of pure Azolla culture (Can be borrowed by neighboring farmers or from local agriculture colleges).

Frogs can spoil the harvest by eating the roots of Azolla; hence cover the pit with a net so that frogs can’t enter.

Within 20-25 days Azolla will cover the entire pond with thick growth, from then you can harvest 1 kg of Azolla each day preferable starting with the corners.

Every 10 days introduce the dung mixture and maintain the water levels in the pond.


Sunday, January 16, 2011

My Experiment with SRI



SRI System of Rice Intensification


My journey of experiments with nature started seriously 2 years back, Due to my childhood aquantice with paddy cultivation, used to be curious to understand global processes and methodologies around this cultivation to do better and to help my local community benefit.

Rice being staple diet for majority of Asia, its importance is well engraved in every culture, every custom of rural India. Needless to say the importance of Rice in providing food security to millions, underlining the importance on the economic front still Indian Finance minister prays for good rains to control inflation every year. With the ever increase in population demand is always on the rise, where as the supply is stunted in growth due to lots of challenges like non availability of Labour due to urban migration, high input cultivation costs (Chemical fertilizers, Seeds, Pesticides), year on year decreasing yield levels etc.

I don’t really know how others perceive this but I would see this as an alarming state, certain and immediate danger which needs to be addressed on urgent basis. The need of the hour is to improve the cultivation methodology, increase the yields with no additional costs, help restore the faith of farmer in agriculture.

I as a weekend farmer dedicate my weekends in this initiative and sincerely believe in contributing back to society. In my present Endeavour, embarked on this journey to find better rice cultivation practice which can be adopted to address these current challenges. One day browsing through the internet stumbled upon the research findings of an international NGO on rice cultivation called SRI (System of Rice Intensification) claiming to increase the rice yields from 30-300 %. Initially I was skeptical on the information, but more and more I read about it from other sources and thought over it, more logical I felt and convinced I became on its principles. The best part of the methodology is, it is flexible to implementation based on the local conditions. So it doesn’t say follow the recipe and will get these results, it says follow the principles for better results. According to me SRI recommend guiding principles for cultivation methodology, which can be adapted to many crops with implementation process variations.

SRI Fundamental Principles

1. Utilize early vigor of young seedlings.

Optimum care and nutrition has to be provided at the early start. it goes with a Kannada wise old saying says "Belayuva siri yanu, molake yelle nodabohudu" translation says harvest can be seen in the germinated seed. As initial post germination phase of few days are important for the plant to establish itself, maximum nutrition or care should be given. Hence implement better nursery techniques to grow healthy seedlings and plant them in the fields in the early stage. That is between 8-12 days in nursery.

2. Reduce competition from light and nutrients.

Give adequate spacing between the plants to allow healthy growth. Have a minimum spacing of 25 cms x 25 cms between the plants.

3. Leave them alone, Reduce external inputs.

Allow the plant to establish itself and grow to its potential naturally, Help them when it is needed only. Restrict the unnecessary application of chemical fertilizer and pesticides.

Only weeding has to be done regularly.

4. Keep soil from becoming anoxic (without oxygen).

Do not flood the fields and pool the water, its totally a misconception among farmers that paddy are aquatic plants, in fact they are resistant to flooding or water logging. but they dont prefer it. By water logging air doesn't reach the roots and it can decay decreasing the output. Drain the fields only water once in a week allow the air to penetrate the soil. This will greatly help in term s of reducing your fertilization cost.

5. Promote Healthy root growth.

By regular weeding on the fields with the mechanical weeders (spiked rollers) they will uproot the unwanted weeds in between the plants and also will aerate the soil for better root propagation. This has to be done every 15 days.

6. Increase soil microbial activity by enhancing Soil Organic matter.

Use plenty of organic material to fertilize your soil, they in turn will promote the growth of microbial activity and in turn help you with breaking down the constituents of the air into growth promoters.

Pictorial Representation of the SRI Principles



Probably after reading through the principles you must have thought it to be more of common sense, probably you might have already realized this in your kitchen garden or in your balcony flower pots. Yes!! SRI fundamental principles are more like common sense; probably our previous generations adopted this and with time, lost the technique?

Anyways I am glad we are able to rediscover the technique, To prove the point, I planned to experiment on my farm last monsoon, after much persuasion got a land of 15 guntas to try this out and documenting my observations and results here.

Observations:

  1. Care to be taken while transplanting as seedlings are very young, root damages has to be minimized to reduce establishment time. Use of mechanical transplantors can be very beneficial.
  2. Working with the manual weeder can be quite an effort to cover an acre; person has to walk with the weeder in the paddy field for approximately 15-17 Kms!!. Use of power weeders can help to a certain extent.
  3. For the initial period, Be prepared for pest control with any organic solutions before in hand to ensure no loss of productivity. Use of native seeds may help prevent from certain pests and do regular crop rotations to break the pest life cycle.
  4. Be prepared for an early harvest of at least 10 days. Grain maturity will be early comparatively.
  5. Crops will be very receptive to Vermin wash regular foliar sprays; this will enable constant supply of micro nutrients to the plants.

Results:

Cultivation Method

No of Tillers per Hill

No of productive Tillers per Hill

Average Grains per Pinnacle

Yield per Gunta

Yield per Acre

Conventional

20-25

60-70%

100-125

32 Kgs

1280 Kgs

SRI

50-75

70-90%

210-225

56 Kgs

2240 Kgs

175% higher yield in SRI was observed, still felt if we had done another round of weeding and enough organic soil fertilization was adequately done during land preparation stage then easily we could have reached 80Kgs per Gunta, anyways there is always something to improvise for the next season.

On a whole experience was exciting, except the first 15 days after transplanting you need to hold your nerves as you will see the transplanted place almost next to being empty and sure will be facing peak of your critics. But after the period once plant progresses with the polycorn stages, no of tillers will start multiplying every 8-12 days and soon the growth will be visible and exponential.

Summarizing this article I feel SRI principles has lots of potential to explore and it’s a boon to Paddy farmers to earn more by growing more.