A slide show on Organic Farming - OHM by Wing Commander Krishna Rao (Retd.) SIMPLE Society for IMprovement of Public Life & Environment

Know More About Organic Farming OHM

Health of soil main basis Develop soils of very good fertility Achieved by careful husbandry of Plant residues, agricultural waste, cow dung & domestic animal manures returned to soil Building up soil microbial life, bacteria, beneficial fungus and earth worms

Health of soil main basis

Develop soils of very good fertility

Achieved by careful husbandry of Plant residues, agricultural waste, cow dung & domestic animal manures returned to soil

Building up soil microbial life, bacteria, beneficial fungus and earth worms

Organic Vs Inorganic Farming Tasty food Healthy food Longer shelf life No health hazards to farmers/labor Tasteless food Unhealthy food Shorter shelf life Poses health hazards to farmers/labor

Tasty food

Healthy food

Longer shelf life

No health hazards

to farmers/labor

Tasteless food

Unhealthy food

Shorter shelf life

Poses health hazards

to farmers/labor

Organic Vs Inorganic Farming No environmental pollution Inexpensive Soil improves year after year Heavy environmental pollution Expensive Soil deteriorates year after year

No environmental pollution

Inexpensive

Soil improves year after year

Heavy environmental pollution

Expensive

Soil deteriorates year after year

Organic Vs Inorganic Farming No loss of birds, earth worms and beneficial micro- organisms More Profitable Price advantage Loss of birds, earth worms and beneficial micro- organisms Less profitable No price advantage

No loss of birds, earth worms and beneficial micro- organisms

More Profitable

Price advantage

Loss of birds, earth worms and beneficial micro- organisms

Less profitable

No price advantage

Organic Carbon Humus Mulching OHM

Organic Carbon

Humus

Mulching

Organic Carbon

Organic Farming Concepts One of the basic and most essential but neglected requirement in Organic Farming is the need to increase the % of Organic Carbon in the soil. This could be achieved with green manure crops like Clover, Dhaincha, Horsegram, Sunhemp, etc. Percentage of organic carbon in the soil should be above 2 %.

One of the basic and most essential but neglected requirement in Organic Farming is the need to increase the % of Organic Carbon in the soil.

This could be achieved with green manure crops like Clover, Dhaincha, Horsegram, Sunhemp, etc. Percentage of organic carbon in the soil should be above 2 %.

Organic Carbon Soil Fertility Soil is basically made of fine grains of sand or clay Soil quality depends on formation of grains into aggregates Organic Carbon improves soil quality by increasing : 1. Granulation 2. Water Infiltration 3. Activity of Soil Microorganisms Ultimately improves Soil Fertility

Soil Fertility

Soil is basically made of fine grains of sand or clay

Soil quality depends on formation of grains into aggregates

Organic Carbon improves soil quality by increasing :

1. Granulation

2. Water Infiltration

3. Activity of Soil Microorganisms

Ultimately improves Soil Fertility

Organic Carbon Purpose Retention and movement of water Diffusion of gasses Growth and development of roots in the soil These 3 actions depend on a) the formation of grains into aggregates, b) the size and stability of the aggregates, c) space enclosed between and within the aggregates

Purpose

Retention and movement of water

Diffusion of gasses

Growth and development of roots in the soil

These 3 actions depend on

a) the formation of grains into aggregates,

b) the size and stability of the aggregates,

c) space enclosed between and within

the aggregates

Organic Carbon Properties Green manures have a longer lasting effect than straw Earthworm casts are quite stable Plants develop new roots and decompose the old ones for the formation of stable aggregates Organic matter in the soil improve its tilth

Green manures have a longer lasting effect than straw

Earthworm casts are quite stable

Plants develop new roots and decompose the old ones for the formation of stable aggregates

Organic matter in the soil improve its tilth

Organic Carbon Soil Tilth Advantages of better soil tilth : 1) Easy to till 2) Easier for the seedlings to emerge 3) Easier for roots to extend downwards

Soil Tilth

Advantages of better soil tilth :

1) Easy to till

2) Easier for the seedlings to emerge

3) Easier for roots to extend downwards

Organic Carbon More than 2% : Ideal Between 1.5 & 2 % : Sufficient on day to day basis Less than 1.5 % : Insufficient * * Result : Compost cannot be fully utilized

More than 2% : Ideal

Between 1.5 & 2 % : Sufficient on day to day basis

Less than 1.5 % : Insufficient *

* Result : Compost cannot be fully utilized

Humus

Humus The well composted organic part of the top soil is called humus which contains ligno proteins It is a black, light, easily freeable material that can be broken into small fragments or crumbs

The well composted organic part of the top soil is called humus which contains ligno proteins

It is a black, light, easily freeable material that can be broken into small fragments or crumbs

Humus It has very good water holding capacity, twice its own weight Generally, the weight of such material per liter of its volume in fine crumb form is about 400 grams

It has very good water holding capacity, twice its own weight

Generally, the weight of such material per liter of its volume in fine crumb form is about 400 grams

Humus It has a peculiar black luster & we can see layers of dead colonies of the micro flora especially in well composted (humified) animal dung

It has a peculiar black luster & we can see layers of dead colonies of the micro flora especially in well composted (humified) animal dung

Humus Formation of rich humus is important as humus absorbs and retains water and acts as a reservoir for the plants to draw the same, as and when required. Helps growth of microbial population which is the basic idea of organic farming.

Formation of rich humus is important as humus absorbs and retains water and acts as a reservoir for the plants to draw the same, as and when required.

Helps growth of microbial population which is the basic idea of organic farming.

Humus Final stable complex decomposition colloidal A sticky substance called polysaccharides Binds soil particles into a crumb structure 10”-12” deep in soil Humus consists 1. Humuin 2. Hymato malanic acid 3. Fulvick acid 4. Humuic acid

A sticky substance called polysaccharides

Binds soil particles into a crumb structure 10”-12” deep in soil

Humus consists

1. Humuin

2. Hymato malanic acid

3. Fulvick acid

4. Humuic acid

Formation of Rich Humus Step by Step The worst top soil keeps its polish intact & cannot hold water even after soaking for one night. It needs trampling and beating after wetting 4 or 5 times to improve its quality Once the quality improves slightly it is yellow & waxy in color

The worst top soil keeps its polish intact & cannot hold water even after soaking for one night. It needs trampling and beating after wetting 4 or 5 times to improve its quality

Once the quality improves slightly it is yellow & waxy in color

Formation of Rich Humus Step by Step In the next stage the soil protein material can absorb and hold water but it is not easy to break into crumbs. On further improvement the soil can be easily broken into crumbs but it does not have the luster & lightness.

In the next stage the soil protein material can absorb and hold water but it is not easy to break into crumbs.

On further improvement the soil can be easily broken into crumbs but it does not have the luster & lightness.

Formation of Rich Humus Step by Step Finally the best grade humus made from the fibrous organic part with luster & lightness is obtained. Good soil should consist of quality Biomass 50% by volume.

Finally the best grade humus made from the fibrous organic part with luster & lightness is obtained.

Good soil should consist of quality Biomass 50% by volume.

Mulching

Mulching Mulching of soil through out the year, preferably with some crop or the other, is essential in order to minimize the weed growth This also reduces evaporation/ microbial population losses and saves precious water

Mulching of soil through out the year, preferably with some crop or the other, is essential in order to minimize the weed growth

This also reduces evaporation/ microbial population losses and saves precious water

Enrich soil & keep it healthy constantly Promotion of plant growth Weed control Pest control Disease control Result : Plentiful harvest & healthy food Enrichment of soil - Farmer’s duty

Enrich soil & keep it healthy constantly

Promotion of plant growth

Weed control

Pest control

Disease control

Result : Plentiful harvest & healthy food

Dabolkar method Sow 5 Kg Each of following seeds per acre 1. Grains 2. Pulses 3. Oil seeds 4. Green manure 5. Spices How to Enrich soil

Dabolkar method

Sow 5 Kg Each of following seeds per acre

1. Grains

2. Pulses

3. Oil seeds

4. Green manure

5. Spices

Grains Sorghum Finger Millet Bajra Foxtail Millet

Sorghum

Finger Millet

Bajra

Foxtail Millet

Pulses Black Gram Green Gram Bengal Gram Lablab Cluster Bean

Black Gram

Green Gram

Bengal Gram

Lablab

Cluster Bean

Oil seeds Gingelly/Sesame Groundnut Sunflower Castor

Gingelly/Sesame

Groundnut

Sunflower

Castor

Green manure Dhaincha Sunhemp Horsegram Clover

Dhaincha

Sunhemp

Horsegram

Clover

Spices Mustard Coriander Fenugreek Cumin

Mustard

Coriander

Fenugreek

Cumin

Select field whose fertility to be improved and plough the field Apply Farm Yard Manure (FYM) / Poultry Manure / Vermi Compost Sow 5 Kg Each of 5 varieties - 25 Kg/Acre Sufficient watering Apply manure and beneficial micro-organisms after 30 days Dhabolkar method

Select field whose fertility to be improved and plough the field

Apply Farm Yard Manure (FYM) / Poultry Manure / Vermi Compost

Sow 5 Kg Each of 5 varieties - 25 Kg/Acre

Sufficient watering

Apply manure and beneficial micro-organisms after 30 days

Incorporate after 55-60 days Repeat twice with different varieties of seeds Soil quality (Physical condition) improves within 200 days Ideal condition for earthworms and soil microorganisms that feed on bio mass Decomposing the biomass into balanced macro and micro nutrients essential for crops Dhabolkar method

Incorporate after 55-60 days

Repeat twice with different varieties of seeds

Soil quality (Physical condition) improves within 200 days

Ideal condition for earthworms and soil microorganisms that feed on bio mass

Decomposing the biomass into balanced macro and micro nutrients essential for crops

Tender leaves - Zinc, phosphate, Boron Green matured - Nitrogen, Magnesium, leaves Potassium Dry leaves - Calcium, Silica, Boron, Iron, Manganese Elements in a leaf

Tender leaves - Zinc, phosphate, Boron

Green matured - Nitrogen, Magnesium,

leaves Potassium

Dry leaves - Calcium, Silica, Boron, Iron, Manganese

Micronutrient Plant extract Zinc : Tamarind leaf Copper : Thangedu Iron : Drumstick leaves Boron : Calatrophis (Jilledu) Manganese : Brinjal Magnesium : Brinjal Rectification of micronutrient deficiency with EM fermented plant extract

Micronutrient Plant extract

Zinc : Tamarind leaf

Copper : Thangedu

Iron : Drumstick leaves

Boron : Calatrophis (Jilledu)

Manganese : Brinjal

Magnesium : Brinjal

Micronutrient Plant extract Molybdenum : All types of flowers Calcium : Tutterabenda Sulphur : Mustard plant Iodine : Lady’s finger Silica : Bamboo, Chavukumanu Mercury : Adavi Amudam, Peppalam Rectification of micronutrient deficiency with EM fermented plant extract

Micronutrient Plant extract

Molybdenum : All types of flowers

Calcium : Tutterabenda

Sulphur : Mustard plant

Iodine : Lady’s finger

Silica : Bamboo, Chavukumanu

Mercury : Adavi Amudam,

Peppalam

Soil Structure & Texture Soil Porosity Soil Aeration Soil Microbes Soil Organic Matter Soil Nutrients

Soil Structure & Texture

Soil Porosity

Soil Aeration

Soil Microbes

Soil Organic Matter

Soil Nutrients

In a plant, absorption of nutrients is carried out only by active white roots These grow only in the top nine inches Rest of the root structure supports the plant The nursery soil in the top nine inches is very crucial for growth of white root zones The growth of canopy and in turn the amount of photosynthesis depends directly on the growth of these white root zones.

In a plant, absorption of nutrients is carried out only by active white roots

These grow only in the top nine inches

Rest of the root structure supports the plant

The nursery soil in the top nine inches is very crucial for growth of white root zones

The growth of canopy and in turn the amount of photosynthesis depends directly on the growth of these white root zones.

Principals of canopy management It is most important to establish proper canopy index at the earliest so that the plant will be capable of taking full advantage of the sunlight it has to harvest Only the matured leaves of the plant are capable of doing optimum harvesting of the sun For optimum photosynthesis, there should be adequate storage organ growth in the plant that matches the photosynthesis taking place in the matured leaves

Cow Urine Contains following nutrients Phosphate Carbonic Acid. Enzymes Uric Acid Milking Cow gives - Lactose Sodium (Na) Vitamin (A,B,C,D,E) Hip uric Acid Other Minerals Chloride, Sulphates & Phosphates Nitrogen (N) Sulphur (S) Ammonia (NH 3 ) Ammonia Gas. Manganese (Mn) Salt Potassium (K) Urea Copper (Cu) Calcium (Ca) Water (H2O) Iron (Fe)

QUOTATION Knowing is NOT doing Planning is NOT doing Doing is NOT doing Doing the Right way at Right time is DOING Krishna Rao

Knowing is NOT doing

Planning is NOT doing

Doing is NOT doing

Doing the Right way at

Right time is DOING

Krishna Rao

Thank You Krishna Rao SIMPLE

Thank You

Krishna Rao SIMPLE