Master of Science in Agriculture Master of Science in Agriculture

141 Pages·2017·9.6 MB·English

Innovation in Traditional Nutrient
Management Practices for Better Soil Health
and Herbage Yield of Brahmi

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SUBMITTED TO THE

G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology
Pantnagar-263 145 (U.S. Nagar), Uttarakhand, INDIA

By

Ardeep
B.Sc. (Agriculture)

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF

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(Agronomy)

JUNE, 2017
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost I would like to express my deepest sense of gratitude to the almighty
“GOD” with whose blessing I could able to accomplish this endeavour of mine.
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to work with a person who is very helpful and has a
visionary thinking. I’m overwhelmed to avail this rare opportunity to express my profound sense
of gratitude and regards to Dr. Sunita T. Pandey, Professor, Department of Agronomy and
Chairperson of my Advisory Committee for his constant versatile, inspiring guidance, constant
encouragement, cooperation, and affection during the course of investigation and preparation of
this manuscript. It was my proud privilege to be associated with her.
I feel extremely privileged to express my deepest gratitude and veneration to the esteemed
members of my Advisory Committee, Dr. M. S. Negi, Professor, Department of Agronomy, Dr.
Ajit Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Poonam Gautam, Assistant
Professor, Department of Soil Science, for their keen interest, constructive and valuable
suggestions and authentic technical guidance during the whole course of this investigation and
preparation of this manuscript.
A debt of gratitude is owed to Dean, College of Agriculture; Dean, College of Post
Graduate Studies; Registrar; Head, Agronomy and University librarian for providing me the
essential facilities to conduct the proposed investigations
This is the great time to acknowledge my lovingly Father shri Munnu Lal my Mother
Smt. Savita Devi and my brothers Kuldeep Kumar and Sandeep Kumar for their willingly
made sacrifices, guidance and endless affection. I express the deep sense of gratitude and great
reverence to them and whatever I am today I owe to them.
I am thankful to my respected seniors, Samarth Sir, Deepak Sir Pradeep Sir, Neeshu
Joshi Mam, Reena Verma Mam, Lokesh Bora Sir, Anwar Ali Sir, Kailash Sati Sir and
Himanshu Verma Sir for their guidance and help to complete this investigation.
Words will never reach to its fullness to express my sincere appreciation for my friends,
Vikash, Rajnish Tiwari, Rajat, Amit, Sumit, Kuldeep, Jitendra, Gaurav Parmar, Namit,
Santosh Bora, Manpreet, Pintu, Deepak Joshi, my batch mates Mahadev, Rajesh, Ashwin
Vijay, Aradhna, Anupama, Monika, Vandana, Anand, Yogesh and Deepak Pal.
I cannot forget co-operation received from my loving juniors specialy Mahadev Mishra,
Rajat Panwar, Devesh Pant and Amit Bijlwan I am also thankful to Navjot, Prasant, Anurag,
Akhilesh, Anil Bhadari, Abhishek Bisht, Amit Negi, Ashutosh, Shubham johri, Sobhit,
Chandan, Tribhuwan, Ashish, Manish, and Yashpal for their love, affection, inspiration and
help.
I thank all those whose name could not find a separate place but have helped me directly
or indirectly in the present investigation.

Pantnagar (ARDEEP)
June, 2017 Author
CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Innovation in Traditional
Nutrient Management Practices for Better Soil Health and Herbage Yield of
Brahmi” submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science in Agriculture with major in Agronomy of the College of Post-
Graduate Studies, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar,
is a record of bonafide research carried out by Mr. Ardeep, Id. No. 38412, under
my supervision, and no part of the thesis has been submitted for any degree or

diploma.
The assistance and help received during the course of this investigation and
source of literature have been duly acknowledged.

Pantnagar (Sunita T. Pandey)
June, 2017 Chairperson
Advisory Committee
We, the undersigned, members of the Advisory committee of Mr. Ardeep,
Id. No. 38412, a candidate for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture,
with major in Agronomy agree that the thesis entitled “Innovation in Traditional
Nutrient Management Practices for Better Soil Health and Herbage Yield of
Brahmi” may be submitted in partial fulfilment of requirement for the degree.
CCOONNTTEENNTTSS

S. No. CHAPTERS PAGE No.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

LITERATURE CITED

VITA

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

India is one of the 12-mega biodiversity centres and could be termed as
botanical garden of the world with a wealth of about 8000 species of medicinal plants.
The developing countries are the leading suppliers of medicinal plants to the world and
India being one among them (Rao et al., 2006). Recently, the interest in the use of
herbal products has grown dramatically in the western world as well as in developed
countries (Sparreboom et al., 2004). Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell commonly known
as brahmi or water hyssop or ‘Jalnimba’ is one of the potent plants belonging to family
Scrophulariaceae. The genus Bacopa includes over 100 species of aquatic herbs
distributed throughout the warmer regions of the world. The name Brahmi is derived
from the word ‘Brahma’ the mythical “creator” in the Hindu mythology. It has a long
history of its use in India as an anti ageing and memory enhancing ethnobotanical
therapy. It has been mentioned in religious, social and medical treatises of India since
the time of Atharva veda (800 BC). The herb has been mentioned in several ancient
Ayurvedic treatises including the ‘Charaka Samhita’ since sixth century AD, in which
it is recommended in formulations for the management of a range of mental conditions
including anxiety, poor cognition and lack of concentration, as a diuretic and as an
energizer for the nervous system and the heart (Mukherjee and Dey, 1966) Specific
uses include the treatment of asthma, insanity and epilepsy (Chopra, 1958). The plant
has been utilized extensively as a nootropic, digestive aid and to improve learning,
memory and respiratory functions (Nandakarni, 1988).
Bacopa monnieri is rich in pharmacological activities.It is a constituent of many
Ayurvedic preparations. It is very useful in the treatment of bronchitis and diarrhea for
children and fresh juice is used as pain reliver, when applied to the inflamed joints.
Other pharmacological properties of the extracts include sedation and cardio tonic,
vasoconstriction and anti inflammatory activity. In Ayurveda, Bhavaprakash Nighantu
described Bacopa monnieri as Medhya, Ayushya, and Rasayana. In Rajanighantu
brahmi is described as Vatastra pittajit, buddhivardhini, Medhy, Ayushyavardhini.
Leaves and stalks are very helpful in the stoppage of the urine which is accompanied by
obstinate costiveness.
(cid:1)
Introduction ……………
The compounds responsible for the pharmacological effects of Bacopa monnieri
include alkaloids, saponins and sterols. Bose and Bose (1931) did detailed
investigations of brahmi and first reported the isolation of the alkaloid ‘Brahmine’.
Later, other alkaloids like nicotine and herpestine have also been reported.
Subsequently, the isolation of D-mannitol and a saponin, hersaponin and potassium
salts were also reported (Shastri et al., 1959). The major chemical entity shown to be
responsible for neuropharmacological effects and the nootropic action or antiamnestic
effect of Bacopa monnieri is bacoside A (Chatterji et al., 1965).
B. monnieri is a succulent herb, branches diffusively, rooting at the nodes,
oblong leaves 0.5 - 2.5 cm long end 0.2 - 1.0 cm wide. Flowers are white to pale blue or
violet, solitary borne in leaf axils on slender pedicle 0.6-3.2 cm long, calyx glabrous
divided to the base/sepals 6 mm long, corolla 8 mm long, fruit (capsules) 5 mm long,
ovoid acute including in the persistent calyx seeds oblong and pale coloured. Flowers
and fruits appear in summer.
Crop requires 30 - 40ºC temperature and 65-80% relative humidity for its
proper growth. It is widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical areas of wet
and marshy lands throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, Hawaii, Vietnam,
Florida and southern states of USA (Matthew, 1984).
Modern agriculture largely depends on the use of high cost inputs, such as
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, improved seeds and assured irrigation.
Scientific management with labour saving and energy intensive technologies increased
the production but there is growing concern over the ill effects of use of chemicals on
soil productivity and environmental quality. The continuous and imbalanced use of
fertilizers is adversely affecting the sustainability of agricultural production besides
causing environmental pollution. Improvement and maintenance of soil fertility,
environment quality and sustaining crop production is a worldwide concern.
Heavy use of chemicals in agriculture has weakened the ecological base in
addition to degradation of soil, water resources and quality of the food. At this juncture,
a keen awareness has sprung on the adoption of "organic farming" as a remedy to cure
the ills of modern chemical agriculture (Kannaiyan, 2000). It is very much essential to
develop a strong workable and compatible package of nutrient management through
(cid:1)
Introduction ……………
organic resources for various crops based on scientific facts, local conditions and
economic viability.
At present, due to energy crisis, high fertilizer cost and low purchasing power of
the farming community have made it necessary to rethink alternative of chemical
fertilizers. The use of locally available organic manure provides better physical,
chemical and microbial environment and thus enhance crop yield per unit of applied
nutrients.
All the nutrients present in the soil do not remain in available form for the
plants. They first need to be transformed in to the available form through the action of
microorganisms that are normally present in the soil. But excessive use of chemicals
has disturbed the flora including the population of micro-organisms. It is thus necessary
to conserve and activate the population of various species of microorganism through
innovation in natural/traditional methods like application of desi cow dung, cow urine,
vermicompost and organic waste etc.
Chemical fertilizers which ushered the ‘green revolution’ in the 1960’s came as
a ‘mixed blessing’ for mankind. It boosted food productivity, but at the cost of
environment and society. It dramatically increased the quantity of the food produced
but decreased its nutritional quality and also the soil fertility over the years. It killed the
beneficial soil organisms which help in renewing natural fertility. It also impaired the
power of biological resistance in crops making them more susceptible to pests and
diseases. Over the years it has worked like a slow poison for the soil with serious
withdrawal symptoms. The excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers (urea) has also led
to increase in the level of inorganic nitrogen content in groundwater (through leaching
effects) and in the human food with grave consequences for the human health.
Chemically grown foods have adversely affected human health.
Organic farming systems with the aid of various nutrients of biological origin
such as compost are thought to be the answer for the food safety and farm security in
future. Among them composts made from biodegradation of organics of municipal
solid waste (MSW) which is being generated in huge amount everyday all over the
world is most important. The organic fraction of the MSW (about 70 - 80%) containing
plenty of nitrogen, potash and phosphorus is a good source of macro and micronutrients
for the soil. Composts also contain plenty of beneficial soil microbes which help in soil
(cid:1)
Introduction ……………
regeneration and fertility improvement and protect them from degradation while also
promoting growth in plants (Weltzien, 1989).
Bovine excreta contain 1% N and 1.35% K O in urine and 0.40% N, 0.20%
2
P O and 0.10% K O in dung (Yawalkar et al., 2002).This indicates the greater
2 5 2
potential of bovine excretion to provide nutrients in crop production. An estimate of the
total dung and urine production by such a vast animal resource indicates that they have
potential manurial value of 6.73 MT of N; 2.36 MT of P O ; and 4.14 MT of K O
2 5 2
which can replace around 27.78 MT of chemical fertilizers in agriculture (Kasbe and
Joshi, 2008).
Biozyme (Jeevamrit) is used by large number of farmers in different parts of
our country as it can be produced from available farm wastes like cattle dung and cattle
urine along with other ingredients like jaggery, pulse flour and water, as an important
input in crop production at low cost particularly in organic farming. The philosophy
behind the application of jeevamrit as a bio-resource is supplementation of essential
plant nutrients and improvement of the soil health in economic and eco-friendly manner
(Reddy, 2008).
Therefore, keeping these facts in view, the present study entitled “Innovation in
traditional nutrient management practices for better soil health and herbage yield of
brahmi” has been planned and carried out at the Govind Ballabh Pant University of
Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand,
India during kharif season 2016 with the following objectives:-
1. To evaluate the effect of biozyme on growth and herbage yield of brahmi under
tarai condition of Uttarakhand
2. To optimise the rate of application of biozyme for brahmi crop
3. To study total microbial population of soil before the initiation of the
experiment and after the harvest of crop
4. To work out cost benefit ratios of the treatments
(cid:1)
Introduction ……………