Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol. 11 (3), July 2012, pp. 480-486

Vedic Krishi: Sustainable livelihood option for small and marginal farmers
Sanjay Chadha*, Rameshwar, Ashlesha, JP Saini & YS Paul
Department of Organic Agriculture, College of Agriculture,
CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur 176 062, HP
E-mail: schadha_113@yahoo.co.in
Received 02.06.11, revised 30.04.12

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of some of Vedic Krishi inputs, viz.
Panchgavya, Vermiwash, Compost tea, Matka Khad, Beejamrit and Jiwamrit with the objectives to work out their applicability
for ecofriendly nutrient and disease management in organic farming. Vedic Krishi techniques are low input costs, which comply
well with the ecological and socioeconomic conditions of vast segment of farming community comprising of small and
marginal farmers. The nutritional and microbial analysis of these liquid organic manures showed the presence of different
macro and micro nutrients and large population of essential microbes including Azotobacter sp., Actinomycetes sp. and
phosphate solubilizers. All the Vedic Krishi inputs were found quite effective in enhancing the productivity of different crops
and suppressing the growth of various plant pathogens by producing antibacterial and anti-fungal compounds, hormones and
siderophores. Application of Vermiwash gave 65, 10, 26 and 27 % higher yields in knol-khol (153.25 q/ha), onion (184.1 q/ha),
French bean (14.5 q/ ha seed yield) and paddy (18.4 q/ha), respectively over control. Panchgavya was found the most effective
in controlling (88.9 %) stalk rot of cauliflower. Beejamrit was found to be the most effective for seed treament as it recorded
92% seed germination of pea against 56% in control. Compost tea, Matka Khad and Jeevamrit as foliar sprays were also
prooved quite effective in enhacing the productivity of different crops and effective against various plant pathogens. All Vedic
Krishi practices hold good promise for use in organic agriculture.

Keywords: Vedic Krishi, Traditional agricultural inputs, Small and marginal farmers, Organic farming
IPC Int. Cl.8: A01B, A01C, H01L 51/00

The majority of farming community in hilly state of
Himachal Pradesh constitutes small and marginal
farmers, which has gone up to about 87.03 % in
2011-12, holding an average of 1.04 hectare of land per
family1. Moreover, 81.5% of total cultivated area in the
state is rainfed. This vast segment of farming
community with poor economic conditions often find it
difficult to purchase costly inputs (fertilizers and
pesticides).
Farmers have developed their own agricultural
practices of production and protection of crops over
more than a hundred centuries. However, the extensive
use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides grew
significantly only in the early 20th century. With the
intensification of agriculture, focus of excessive use of
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, water resources and the
consequent ecological backlashes on farm, on quantity
of food produced and overall environmental
degradation is scaring the society. Many farmers
practice organic agriculture by default based on their
traditional methods of production, which is an
___________
*Corresponding author
important export sector besides having a great potential
as an important livelihood option for small and
marginal farmers looking for low input cost,
ecologically sustainable farming in rainfed areas. These
traditional agricultural inputs have shown comparative
strengths over inorganic systems.
In the present study, Scientific validations of some
of these traditional technologies have been investigated
in economically viable cultivation of different crops.
There are many traditional agricultural inputs being
used by farmers but in the present article few of them,
viz. Panchgavya, Vermiwash, Matka Khad, Compost
Tea, Beejamrit and Jiwamrit have been investigated.
Methodology
Model Organic Farm at CSK HPKV, Palampur was
established under Niche Area of Excellence Centre for
Organic Farming since 2006. Model Organic Farm is
situated at 32°6’N latitude and 76°3’E longitude at an
elevation of 1224 m above mean sea level in North
Western Himalayas. Different traditional agricultural
inputs based on Vedic Krishi were prepared and
evaluated at Model Organic Farm, College of
481 CHADHA et al.: VEDIC KRISHI: A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD OPTION FOR SMALLER AND MARGINAL FARMERS

Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Microbial analysis of different Inputs

Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. Table 1 showed the The liquid organic manures were analysed for the
standardized techniques of preparing the traditional microflora present in them by following standard
agricultural inputs namely Panchgavya, Vermiwash, methodologies. Among the different tested organic
Compost tea, Matka Khad, Beejamrit and Jiwamrit; manures (FYM, cow urine, Panchgavya, Jeevamrit,
source of collection, mode of application and mode of Matka Khad, Vermiwash, Compost tea and Beejamrit)
action. Panchgavya was found to possess highest load of viable
bacterial population, Azotobacter sp. Actinomycetes as
Results well as phosphate solubilizers. Apart from N, these
Nutrient analysis of traditional inputs
organisms are also capable of producing antibacterial
Nutritional analysis of different traditional
and anti-fungal compounds, hormones and siderophores
agricultural inputs alongwith farm yard manure (FYM)
(Fig. 10).
and cow urine was carried out by following the standard
procedures (Table 2). The maximum N content was Field efficiency and efficacy of different inputs
observed in Panchagavya (2.4%) followed by Compost Trials were conducted to study the efficiency of
tea (1.241%) and Matka Khad (1.01%). The these organic inputs on the performance of different
comparative N content in FYM and cow urine was 0.60 crops and their efficacy against different diseases.
and 0.98%, respectively. For most of the other nutrients, The perusal of data in Table 3 revealed significant
FYM showed the maximum content percentage. yield advantage in knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var.
Table 1Different Vedic Krishi* inputs and method of preparation
Sr. No. Name of the Ingredients used and their quantities Method of preparations
inputs
1. Panchgavya Cow dung = 1kg (fresh) It is a blend of 5 product obtained from cow mainly its dung, urine,
Cow dung slurry = 4 kg milk, ghee and curd. For making Panchgavya, thoroughly mix the
Cow urine = 3L required quantities of the ingredients and allow to ferment for 7 days
Cow milk = 2L (fresh) with twice stirring per day (Fig. 1).
Curd = 2kg
Cow butter oil = 1kg (ghee)
2. Vermiwash Earthen pitcher = Three of 20 L capacity Put some dry grass and a 15-20 cm layer of 2-3 weeks old cow dung
Cow dung = 12-15 kg alongwith 100-200 earthworms in a pitcher. Put on the cow dung and
Earthworms = 100-200 Nos again covered with dry grass. Allow the water to fall drop by drop into
Rubber pipe = 1mt long the pitcher. Collect the liquid coming from the pitcher with the help of
a pipe (Figs. 2, 7 & 9).
3. Compost Tea Vermicompost = 5 kg A small gunny bag half filled (5 kg) with vermicompost is hanged over
Bucket = 15 L capacity a water tub/bucket filled ¾ with water in a way that vermicompost
Gunny bag = 1 no. remained submerged in water. The nutrients in the vemicompost get
Rope = 2-3 m length dissolved in water within 24 hours, thus making its colour like tea
(Figs. 3 & 9).
4. Matka Khad Cow dung = 5kg Thoroughly mix 5 kg of cow dung, 5 L cow urine, 5 L water and 250g
Cow urine = 5L of jaggary and put in a pitcher of 20 L capacity. The pitcher is filled up
Water = 5L to ¾ level only, for effective fermentation. A lid is placed over the
Jaggary = 250 gm pitcher and buried in the soil for 7 to 10 days with its neck outside the
Earthen pitcher = 1No. of 20L capacity soil (Figs. 4& 9).
5. Beejamrit Cow dung = 50gm Thoroughly mix all the ingredients preferably in plastic/glass jar and
Cow urine = 50 ml keep overnight (Figs. 5 & 8).
Cow milk (Fresh) = 50 ml
Lime stone = 2-3 gm
Water = 1L
6. Jiwamrit Cow dung = 5kg Mix all the ingredients in a drum with the help of a wooden stick.
Cow urine = 5L Shake the mixture 2-3 times per day regularly for 5-7 days for proper
Jaggary = 1kg fermentation (Figs. 6 & 9).
Pulse flour=1kg
Fertile soil = ½ kg
Water = 50 L
*Source of Collection: NCOF, Ghaziabad
 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 11, No. 3, JULY 2012 482

Table 2Chemical Analysis of different Inputs

% ppm
Sample N P2O5 K2O S Ca Mg Fe Mn Zn Cu
Jiwamrut 0.16 0.02 0.123 370 4690 401 9
Beejamrut 0.14 0.02 0.140 355 7550 250 9 2 15
Vermiwash 0.894 0.026 0.084 28 4 5 0.5
Compost Tea 1.241 0.022 0.065 18 6 3 2
Matka Khad 1.01 0.046 0.225 451 76 55 274
Panchgavya 2.40 0.062 0.413 160 990 130.4 77 6 26 67
FYM 0.60 0.220 1.224 14520 1720 2181 437 123 378
Cow urine 0.98 0.02 1.01 143 1060 177 9
Table 3Effect of application of liquid traditional inputs in knol-khol and onion

Sr. No. Traditional input Knol- khol Onion

Number Av. Knot Marketable Average Bulb Biological Bulb yield
of leaves weight (g) yield (q/ha) Weight (g) Yield (kg/plot) (q/ha)
1 Jeevamrit 13.1 89.42 59.61 83.3 214.29 182.2
2 Beejamrit 15.38 117.35 161.667 96.0 214.58 182.58
3 Panchgavya 15.41 116.97 168.89 79.0 204.48 177.81
4 Matka Khad 14.52 117.15 157.5 93.3 228.58 180.67
5 Compost Tea 15.15 128.26 178.61 77.5 210.50 178.35
6 Vermi Wash 15.1 153.25 211.67 83.3 228.58 184.1
7 Control 15.29 104.86 128.06 79.3 195.05 167.34
CD (5%) 0.49 20.08 19.77 8.10 17.34 9.34
gongylodes L.) and onion by application of different Table 4Effect of liquid manures on seed yield of pea
organic inputs. The results at the Model Organic Farm
Treatments Pods/plant Seeds/pod Seed yield(q/ha)
showed that the Vermiwash and Compost tea were the
Main plots (Application techniques)
two top liquid manures which gave 211.67q/ha and
Seed treatment 11.9 4.5 15.8
178.61 q/ha yield of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var.
Spray 14.8 5.2 16.5
gongylodes L.) when applied at 30, 45 and 60 DAT. Seed treatment 15.7 5.7 17.9
The respective yields were 65% and 39% higher over + Spray
control. All the liquid manures were applied @ 10%. Control 10.0 4.2 14.2
Beejamrit, Panchgavya and Matka Khad also gave CD (P=0.05) 2.3 0.8 1.4
significantly higher yield than control. However, Sub plots (Liquid manures)
Jeevamrit (10%) proved phytotoxic, since 60% plants Matka khad 18.0 6.2 18.2
died after its application and hence the yield recorded Vermiwash 11.7 4.6 16.3
was low than control. Similar results were recorded Compost tea 17.1 5.8 17.5
by application of these liquid manures on onion. All Panchgavya 8.3 4.0 18.9
CD (P=0.05) 2.5 1.1 2.7
the liquid manures (10% concentration) when applied
at 30, 45 and 60 DAT gave significantly higher bulb seed treatment + spray. The contents of Table 4
yield/plot than control. The maximum bulb yield/plot showed that application of liquid manures as seed
(184.1 q/ha) was recorded with application of treatment + spray gave 26% higher seed yield than
Vermiwash as against 167.34 q/ha in control. For control. However, all the four liquid manures gave
other horticultural parameters, significant higher statistically at par seed yield.
values were observed in many treatments over The effect of Vermiwash, Compost tea and Matka
control. Khad was recorded alongwith some other organic
The effect of four liquid manures, viz. Matka Khad, inputs on performance of pole type of Frenchbean
Vermiwash, Compost tea and Panchagavya was (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and paddy (Oryza sativa L.)
recorded on seed yield of garden pea (Pisum sativum grown through SRI system. Three sprays of each
L.). These liquid manures were applied by three treatment were given at 30, 45 and 60 DAS/DAT in
methods as seed treatment, spray and combination of both the crops. Significant higher values of yield/ha
483 CHADHA et al.: VEDIC KRISHI: A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD OPTION FOR SMALLER AND MARGINAL FARMERS

Table 5Effect of liquid manures in Frenchbean (pole type) and paddy

Treatments French Bean Paddy (SRI System)
EM (Maple) No. of pods/plant Weight/pod (g) Seed yield (q/ha) Grains / panicle 1000 grain wt (gm) Yield (q/ha)
Vermiwash 154.2 6.8 16.5 83.9 19.5 20.8
Himsol 144.9 6.9 14.5 81.2 19.2 18.4
Compost tea 155.6 6.7 15.8 84.5 19.8 19.2
Matka khad 150.3 6.2 14.3 84.2 18.9 18.5
CPP 152.8 6.4 14.9 83.0 19.0 16.8
Control 137.9 5.8 12.1 75.8 16.5 15.4
CD 5% 124.9 4.5 10.4 72.5 15.8 14.5
6.4 0.8 1.1 2.5 1.1 1.6
Table 7Efficacy of organic inputs against stalk rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) of cauliflower in sick soil
Treatments Pre emergence infection (%) % Disease control Post emergence infection (%) % Disease control
Panchgavya (100%) 11.1 88.9 11.1 88.9
Vermi wash (100%) 44.5 55.5 27.8 72.2
Matka Khad (100%) 44.4 55.6 22.2 77.8
Compost Tea (100%) 72.2 27.8 22.2 77.8
Vermi compost 72.2 27.8 22.2 77.8
Nadep compost 61.1 38.9 22.2 77.8
Control 100.0 0.0 - -
CD (P=0.05) 2.83 13.8 1.64 1.19
and other horticultural parameters were observed with Table 6Effect of organic formulations on seed germination of pea
the application of these traditional inputs in both the
Treatments Germination %
crops. Application of Vermiwash, Compost tea and
Matka Khad gave 14.3, 14.5 and 14.9 q/ha seed yield, Beejamrit 92.0
respectively, as against 10.4q/ha in control in French Himsol 88.0
Cow Urine + Fermented butter milk 80.0
bean. In paddy, the yields were 18.4, 18.5 and 16.8
Jeevamrit 88.0
q/ha with the application of Vermiwash, Compost tea Fermented butter milk 92.0
and Matka Khad, respectively, while the yield was Panchgavya 72.0
14.5q/ha in control (Table 5). Control 56.0
Percentage of seed germination was improved with
the application of different organic inputs. Beejamrit alongwith some other organic formulations. The
was found to be the most effective for seed treament. results showed that Vermiwash (2%) gave 85.31,
Seed germination was recorded 92% with treatment of 74.77, 84.69, 100.0, 80.74 and 91.0 % disease control
Beejamrit as against 56% in control (Table 6). (Table 8) against Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kuhn,,
Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht.,, Fusarium solani
The efficacy of Panchgavya, Vermiwash, Matka (Mart.) Sacc.,, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary,
Khad and Compost tea was tested against stalk rot Sclerotinia rolfsii Sacc. (Wilting) and Colletotrichum
(Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary) of capsici (Syd.) E.J. Butler & Bisby, respectively. The
cauliflower in sick soil. Panchgavya was found the corresponding disease control percentage through 2%
most effective, which gave pre and post emergence Panchgavya was 79.25, 78.53, 61.01, 100, 94.82 and
disease control to the extent of 88.9 % (Table 7). The 85.73, respectively.
pre-emergence disease control through Vermiwash,
Matka Khad and Compost tea was 88.8, 55.5 and 55.6 Discussion and conclusion
%, respectively. Matka Khad and Compost tea gave The use of different local formulation proved
77.8 % each post-emergence disease control. Whereas beneficial in different crops and produced better
Vermiwash exhibited 72.2 % post-emergence disease growth of the plants and ultimately the final end
control. product i.e yield of the crop. The better performance
Percent inhibition of soil borne pathogen through of the crops was due to the presence of better
Vermiwash and Panchgavya was studied in-vitro microbial population in the different formulations as
 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 11, No. 3, JULY 2012 484

Figs. 1-9Five products of cow for making Panchagavya; Vermiwash production; Compost tea preparation; Traditional method of Matka
Khad preparation; Ingradients used for making Beejamrit; Ingradients used for making Jeevamrit; Demonstration of Vermiwash preparation;
Seed treatment with Vedic inputs; Bulk storage of vedic inputs for evaluation
Table 8Per cent inhibition of soil borne plant pathogens in vitro with organic inputs @2%
Pathogen Rhizoctonia Fusarium Fusarium Sclerotinia S. rolfsii Colletotrichum
Organic input solani oxysporum solani sclerotiorum capsici
Vermiwash 85.31 74.77 84.69 100.00 80.74 91.00
Himsol 76.42 89.96 93.47 100.00 80.54 68.00
Cow urine 40.35 83.37 81.52 100.00 99.62 81.52
Fermented buttermilk 72.72 73.87 88.14 96.45 10.38 84.00
Panchgavya 79.25 78.53 61.01 100.00 94.82 85.73

compared to the alone FYM or the cow urine. Soil different enzymes produced by nitrogen fixing and
born microflora is essential for growth of plants phosphate solublizing bacteria2. Preliminary studies
because organic nitrogenous compounds and conducted at Model Organic Farm, CSKHPKV,
phosphorous are decomposed and mineralized by Palampur prooved that all these traditional
485 CHADHA et al.: VEDIC KRISHI: A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD OPTION FOR SMALLER AND MARGINAL FARMERS
Fig. 10Microbial count of different organic inputs
agricultural inputs holds good promise for use in
agriculture and production of safe and healthy food.
Since ages, Panchagavya is being used by farmers
to safeguard plants and soil micro-organisms and to
increase plant production3. The results of the chemical
and microbial analysis showed that Panchagavya was
the richest among all liquid manures in nutrition and
essential microbial population. Panchgavya sprays to
crops gave significantly higher yield to the extent of
177.81q/ha in knol-khol, 168.9q in onion and
18.9q/ha seed yield in garden pea, which was
significantly higher than control. Panchgavya was
found the most effective among different traditional
inputs in controlling stalk rot of cauliflower. It was
found quite effective in suppressing the growth of
various pathogens in in-vitro studies. Somasundaram
et al.4 also demonstrated higher yields in maize and
sunflower with sprays of Panchagavya alongwith
biogas slurry.
Vermiwash is a collection of excretory products
and excess secretions of earthworms, which have the
soluble plant nutrients apart from some organic acids
and mucus of earthworms and microbes5. Preliminary
studies at Model Organic Farm showed beneficial
effects of Vermiwash in different crops. Vermiwash
application in different crops gave significantly higher
yields than contol. Vermiwash application gave
significantly higher yield to the tune of 211.7q in
knol-khol, 184.1q in onion, 16.3q seed yield in garden
pea, 14.3q seed yield in French bean and 18.4 q/ha
grain yield in paddy, which was 65%, 10%, 14.8%,
37.5% and 26.9% higher than control, respectively.
Zambare et al.6 found enzyme cocktail of proteases,
amylases, urease and phosphatase in Vermiwash.
Laboratory scale trial showed effectiveness of
Vermiwash on cowpea plant growth. Likewise,
Prabhu7 also reported presence of large number of
beneficial microorganisms that help in plant growth
and protects it from a number of infestations. It was
also reported that Vermiwash improves the
germination percentage of the seeds and seedling
vigour of seeds such as cowpea and paddy crops.
Various other workers also found significantly higher
growth and productivity with the application of
Vermiwash in marigold5, dry chilli yield8, radish9 and
paddy10.
Compost tea is a liquid extract made by steeping
compost in water11-12. Compost tea is gaining
importance as an alternative to chemical fertilizers
and pesticides. The microbial population in the
compost tea contributes toward its effectiveness13.
Compost tea gave significantly higher yield than
control. Application of compost tea gave 178.61 q/ha
in knol-khol, 178.35 q in onion, 17.5 q seed yield in
pea and 18.5 q/ha seed yield in French bean, which
was 39.5, 6.6, 23.2 and 27.6 % higher than control.
Compost tea was also found effective in suppressing
various plant pathogens. The majority of studies to
date have focused on plant disease and suppressive
ability of compost tea. There is evidence that some
plant diseases have been partially suppressed by
application of compost tea11, while in other studies,
suppression has been highly variable between
different batches preparations14.
Matka Khad promotes the plant growth. Microbial
analysis indicated higher count of microbial
population including Actinomycetes, Azotobactor and
Phosphate solublizers, which gave significant higher
yield over control in different crops (knol-khol, onion,
garden pea, French bean) and efficacy against different
plant pathogens. Scientific studies on role of Matka
Khad in agriculture are limited. However, Shiva15
reported increased productivity of various crops viz.,
soybean, paddy, maize, groundnut, sorghum, etc. with
the application of Matka Khad.
Beejamrit as name suggested is broadly used for
seed treatment. It is a traditional Indian farmers
practice to treat the seeds before sowing with
Beejamrit. The results of seed treatment with Beejamrit
in garden pea showed the highest seed germination
percentage (92%). However, foliar application of
Beejamrit was also proved to enhance the productivity
of different crops. Similarily, Jeevamirit is broadly
used for soil treatment and soil enrichment. However,
results had shown that application of Jeevamrit as
foliar sprays was also quite effective in enhacing the
 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 11, No. 3, JULY 2012
productivities of different crops and efficacy against
various plant pathogens. The use of Beejamrit and
Jeevamrit has been suggested in the package of
practices of various crops by NCOF, Ghaziabad16 and
nursery production of vegetables17.
Keeping in view the hazardous effects of fertilizers
and pesticides, the use of these ecofreindly traditional
agricultural inputs provide alternate production
technologies to organic farmers and new vistas to
scientific community for further validation and
refinement of age-old agricultural practices in present
scenario to produce safe food and to save the
environment.
Acknowledgement
Authors are highly thankful to ICAR for funding
under Niche Area of Excellence and all the fallow
colleagues in the Department of Organic Agriculture,
CSKHPKV, Palampur for their continuous help and
moral support. Authors are also thankful to NCOF,
Ghaziabad for technical guidence.
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