Sunday 14 June 2015

Preparation of Bijamrita for the seed treatment

Hi friends, I am really surprised for the ancient days farming where no chemicals but the plants were growing very well without using any chemical fertilizers and pesticides. I enquired with some old aged people, they said about the importance cow dung, cows urine, compost, lime, pulses, and so many.  By keeping the reference of those ideas I started surfing in the internet about the natural farming. Surfing through the internet i found the website of subash palekar which made be interested and like to share his ideas in my blog.  Here is the explanation of the Bijamrita and its preparation and all the credits goes to subash palekar.

Since thousands of years, our farmers were treating their seeds by Local cow urine, cow dung and little soil from the bund of the farm or land of the farm. This was the traditional method and also a totally scientific method. But, after the arrival of Agricultural Universities, all good things in Agricultural sector were destroyed and all unnatural and so unscientific techniques were imposed on the farmers and indirectly on the urban consumers. Agricultural Universities propose you now all dangerous poisons for seed treatment. When you apply any poisonous fungicides or medicines to the seed, all useful effective (our friends) microorganisms are destroyed in the soil. When these poisonous chemicals treated seeds germinate and grow, these poisons are also sucked by the roots with the soil water solution and are deposited in the body organs of the plant i.e. vegetables, grains, fruits, tubers etc. When we eat these produce, these poisons are transmitted to our body and causes T. B., Diabetes, Cancer, Heart problems to the eater consumers. As well as, when farmers purchase these fungicides & medicines for seed treatment, a big exploitation of the farmers occurs. Now we are going to stop this nonsense. We are going to start our ancient techniques. On that ancient technique, I have done some additional experiments. Because of highly poisonous soil, it was needed. After those research experiments, final seed treatment formula was ready to hand over for farmers. That is ‘Bijamrita’.


Take 20 liter Water, 5 Kg Local Cow Dung, 5 liter Local Cow Urine, 50 Gram Lime & Handful soil from the bund of the farm.




Take 5 Kg Local Cow Dung in a cloth and bound it by tape. Hang this in the 20 Liter water up to 12 hours.



Take one liter water and add 50 gm lime in it, let it stable for a night.



Then next morning, squeeze this bundle of the cow dung in that water thrice continuously, so that all essence of cow dung will accumulate in that water.



Then add a handful of soil in that water solution and stir it well.



Then add 5 liter Deshi cow urine or human urine in that solution & add the lime water and stir it well.



Now Bijamrita is ready to treat the seeds.

How to use Bijamrita


Add Bijamrita on the spread seeds of any crops, treat these seeds well by hands, dry it well and use for sowing.



Courtesy: subash palekar


List of companion crops to reduce pests and for weed management

Basil
 
Plant near: most garden crops
Keep away from: rue
Comments: improves the flavor and growth of garden crops, especially tomatoes and lettuce. Repels mosquitoes.
 
Beans, Bush
 
Plant near: beets, cabbage, carrots, catnip, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, marigolds, potatoes, savory, strawberries
Keep away from: fennel, garlic, leeks, onions, shallots
Comments: potatoes and marigolds repel Mexican bean beetles. Catnip repels flea beetles.
 
Beans, Pole
 
Plant near: corn, marigolds, potatoes, radishes
Keep away from: beets, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, shallots
Comments: same as for bush beans.
 
Beets
 
Plant near: broccoli, brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kohlrabi, onions
Keep away from: charlock, field mustard, pole beans
Comments:
 
Borage

Plant near:  squash, strawberries, tomatoes
Keep away from:
Comments: repels tomato worms. Improves flavor and growth of companions.
 
Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts
 
Plant near: beets, buckwheat, calendula, carrots, chamomile, dill, hyssop, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, onions, rosemary, sage, thyme, wormwood.
Keep away from: strawberries
Comments: marigolds repel cabbage moths. Nasturtiums repel aphids.
 
Cabbage and Cauliflower
 
Plant near: broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, chard, spinach, tomatoes.
Keep away from: strawberries
Comments: tomatoes and celery repel cabbage worms.
 
Cantaloupe

Plant near: corn
Keep away from:
Comments:
 
Carrots
 
Plant near: cabbage, chives, early potatoes, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, rosemary, sage, salsify, wormwood.
Keep away from:
Comments: onions, leeks, and wormwood repel carrot flies
 
Chives

Plant near: apples, berries, carrots, grapes, peas, roses, tomatoes.
Keep away from:
Comments: Improves flavor and growth of companions. Deters aphids and Japanese beetles.
 
Corn
 
Plant near: beans, cucumbers, early potatoes, melons, peas, pumpkins, soybeans, squash.
Keep away from:
Comments: soybeans deter chinch bugs.
 
Cucumbers

Plant near: beans, cabbage, corn, early potatoes, radishes, sunflowers.
Keep away from: late potatoes
Comments: Radishes deter cucumber beetles. Cucumbers encourage blight in late potatoes.
 
Dill
 
Plant near: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, lettuce, onions
Keep away from: carrots
Comments: Improves flavor and growth of cabbage family plants.
 
Eggplant

Plant near: green beans, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes
Keep away from:
Comments: green beans deter Colorado potato beetles.
 
Garlic
 
Plant near: cabbage, cane fruits, fruit trees, roses, tomatoes
Keep away from: peas, beans
Comments: deters Japanese beetles and aphids. A garlic oil spray deters onion flies, aphids, and ermine moths. A garlic tea helps repel late potato blight.
Kale

Plant near: aromatic herbs, buckwheat, cabbage family, marigolds, nasturtiums
Keep away from: pole beans, strawberries
Comments:
 
Kohlrabi

Plant near: cabbage/cauliflower companions (except tomatoes)
Keep away from: fennel, pole beans, tomatoes
Comments: kohlrabi stunts tomatoes
 
Lettuce

Plant near: beets, carrotsparsnips, radishes, strawberries
Keep away from: cabbage family
Comments: lettuce tenderizes summer radishes.
 
Marigolds

Plant near: all garden crops
Keep away from:
Comments: stimulates vegetable growth and deters bean beetles, aphids, potato bugs, squash bugs, nematodes, and maggots.
 
Marjoram
 
Plant near: all garden crops
Keep away from:
Comments: stimulates vegetable growth.
 
Mustard

Plant near: alfalfa cover crops, fruit trees, grapes, legumes
Keep away from:
Comments: stimulates growth of companion plants.
 
Nasturtiums

Plant near: apples, beans, cabbage family, greenhouse crops, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, squash
Keep away from:
Comments: repels aphids, potato bugs, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles, and Mexican bean beetles and destroys white flies in greenhouses.
 
Onions

Plant near: beets, cabbage family, carrots, chamomile, lettuce, parsnips
Keep away from: beans, peas
Comments: deters most pests, especially maggots.
 
Oregano

Plant near: all garden crops
Keep away from:
Comments: deters many insect pests.
 
Parsley
 
Plant near: corn, roses, tomatoes
Keep away from:
Comments:
 
Parsnips

Plant near: onions, radishes, wormwood
Keep away from:
Comments: onions and wormwood help keep root maggots from parsnips.
 
Peas

Plant near: beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, early potatoes, radishes, turnips
Keep away from: garlic leeks, onions, shallots
Comments:
 
Peppers

Plant near: basil, carrots, eggplant, onions, parsley, tomatoes
Keep away from: fennel, kohlrabi
Comments:
 
Potatoes
 
Plant near: basil, beans, cabbage family, corn, eggplant, flax, hemp, marigolds, peas, squash
Keep away from: apples, birch, cherries, cucumbers, pumpkins, raspberries, sunflowers, tomatoes, walnuts
Comments: hemp deters phytophthora infestans. Basil deters potato beetles. Marigolds (dug into crop soil) deter nematodes.
 
Radishes
 
Plant near: chervil, cucumbers, lettuce, melons, peas, nasturtiums, root crops
Keep away from: hyssop
Comments: radishes deter cucumber beetles. Chervil makes radishes hot. Lettuce helps make radishes tender. Nasturtiums improve radishes' flavor.
 
Rosemary
 
Plant near: beans, cabbage, carrots
Keep away from:
Comments: repels bean beetles, cabbage moths, and carrot flies.
 
Sage
 
Plant near: cabbage family, carrots, tomatoes
Keep away from: cucumbers
Comments: deters cabbage moths and carrot flies. Invigorates tomato plants.
 
Soybeans
 
Plant near: corn, potatoes
Keep away from:
Comments: chokes weeds and enriches soil.
 
Spinach
 
Plant near: celery, cauliflower, eggplant, strawberries
Keep away from:
Comments:
 
Strawberries
 
Plant near: borage, bush beans, lettuce, pyrethrum, spinach
Keep away from: cabbage family
Comments:
 
Sunflowers
 
Plant near: cucumbers
Keep away from: potatoes
Comments: can provide a trellis and shelter for shade-loving cucumbers.
 
Swiss Chard
 
Plant near: bush beans, kohlrabi, onions
Keep away from: pole beans
Comments:
 
Tarragon
 
Plant near: all garden crops
Keep away from:
Comments: improves vegetables' flavor and growth.
 
Thyme
 
Plant near: all garden crops
Keep away from:
Comments: deters cabbage moths.
 
Tomatoes
 
Plant near: asparagus, basil, cabbage family, carrots, gooseberries, mustard, parsley, onions, rosemary, sage, stinging nettles, marigold
Keep away from: fennel, kohlrabi, potatoes, walnuts
Comments:
 
Turnips and Rutabagas
 
Plant near: peas
Keep away from: knotweed, mustard
Comments: mustard and knotweed inhibit the growth of turnips and rutabagas.


Saturday 13 June 2015

cropping seasons for north india and south india

cropping seasons for north india and south india

MonthNorth IndiaSouth India
JANUARYBrinjalLettuce, Spinach, Gourds, Melons, Radish, Carrot, Onion, Tomato,Okra,Brinjal, Bean
FEBRUARYApplegourd, Bittergourd, Bottle gourd, Cucumber, French Beans, Okra, Sponge, Gourd, Watermelon, SpinachSame as January
MARCHSame as FebruaryAmaranthus, Coriander, Gourds, Beans, Melons, Spinach, Okra
APRILCapsicumOnion, Amaranthus, Coriander, Gourds, Okra, Tomato, Chilly
MAYOnion, Pepper, BrinjalOkra, Onion, Chilly
JUNEAll gourds, Brinjal, Cucumber, Cauliflower (Early), Okra, Onion,Sem,Tomato,PepperGourds, Solanaeceae,Almost all vegetables
JULYAll gourds, Cucumber, Okra, Sem, TomatoSame as June
AUGUSTCarrot, Cauliflower, Radish, TomatoCarrot, Cauliflower, Beans, Beet
SEPTEMBERCabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Peas, Radish, Tomato, LettuceCauliflower, Cucumber, Onion,Peas,Spinach
OCTOBERBeet, Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Spinach, TurnipBrinjal, Cabbage,Capsicum,Cucumber, Beans,Peas, Spinach, Turnip, Watermelon
NOVEMBERTurnip, Tomato, Radish, Pepper, Peas, BeetBeet, Eggplant, Cabbage, Carrot, Beans, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Turnip
DECEMBERTomatoLettuce, Pumpkin, Watermelon, Muskmelon, Ash gourd, Ridge gourd, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Cucumber, Chilly, Cabbage


Monday 16 February 2015

Aerobic composting materials required and methods to make your own


Aerobic composting is a very unique method of converting the wastes into humus.

Materials required

The wastes can be categorised into two types,

1. Nitrogenous: The materials with high nitrogen content e.g. Green plant materials, kitchen wastes, dung and animal manures etc.

2. Carbonaceous: These are the more stable materials having high carbon content e.g. straw, dried leaves and crop residues after harvest, dried seaweed etc.

Size of the heap

The size of the heap should be 5 metres length, 2 metres width, and 1-1.5 metres height. The length can be extended based on the availability of materials. Such extended heaps are called windrows.


Method

1. Clean the area by removal of grass and other weeds with a spade.

2. Mark the area 5 m lengthwise and 2 m width.

3. An inverted ‘V’ channel is made with the help of dried stacks/ stones/bricks at the centre of the marked area running lengthwise. This tunnel will facilitate aeration.

4. Spread all the carbonaceous materials above the inverted ‘V’ shaped tunnel within the demarked area (5 m length x 2 m width) to a height of 15-30 cm.

5. Cow dung slurry or biogas slurry is spread over the carbonaceous layer in a very thin layer.

6. Over the slurry, the nitrogenous materials are evenly spread to a height of 15-30 cm

7. Again a layer of cow dung slurry or biogas slurry is spread over the nitrogenous layer.

8. Likewise a homogenous blend of carbonaceous and nitrogenous layers with dung slurry in between is made up to a height of 1.5 metres. On an average 40% carbonaceous and 60 % nitrogenous material are ideal.

9. The compost can be enriched with lime, rock phosphate or any such natural materials depending on the soil status.

10. The compost heap (5 m x 2 m x 1.5 m) is plastered with the slurry made out of equal proportions of cow dung and soil.

11. After 2 months turning the compost heap would enhance the composting process. However, there is no need to turn the heap. The compost would be ready in 2-3 months.



Heap composting how make your own, materials required and methods


The heap composting method is a very simple and is quite popular in Bhutan.

Materials Required

1. Green biomass – 1 ton

2. Dry Biomass – 1 ton

3. Cow dung – 200 kg

4. Water

Method

1. Demark an area 2 metres width and 3 metres length. Depending on the availability of the materials the length of the heap can be extended.

2. A layer of stones or wooden logs are placed within the demarked area as a basal layer which helps in providing aeration.

3. Dung slurry is prepared by mixing 25 kg of dung in 100 liters of water.

4. A layer of dry biomass is uniformly spread to the height of 30 cms and moistened with dung slurry.

5. On the top of the dry biomass layer, green biomass is spread and moistened with dung slurry.

6. Similarly, alternate layers of dry and green biomass are laid to the height of about 1-1.5 metres height. Each layer of biomass is thoroughly moistened with dung slurry.

7. Similarly, alternate layers of dry and green biomass are laid to the height ofabout 1-1.5 metres height. Each layer of biomass is thoroughly moistenedwith dung slurry.

8. When the heap has reached a desired height it is covered with soil or straw.

9. To prevent the loss of nutrients by volatilization, the heap is made in shade. In certain places wherein there is no natural shade, thatched roofs or shade nets are to be made available.

10. To hasten the process of composting the heap can be turned after a month.

11. Depending on the weather conditions the compost will be ready in 2-3 months. In warm weather the composting process is faster than in winter months.


What is composting, types of composting, uses of composting

Composting

Composting is method to convert the wastes into humus rich manure for
improving the fertility and productivity of soil. It’s very simple and apt for the
small holder farmers. During the process of composting the biodegradable
wastes like crop residues, weeds, leaf litter, animal wastes etc are
scientifically transformed into manure which is called as compost. The
compost is rich in beneficial soil microorganisms, provides the nutrition to the
crops and improves the structure and texture of the soil.


Benefits of composting

Compost provides many benefits as a soil amendment and source of organic
matter by improving soil biological, chemical, and physical characteristics viz.,


  1. Increases microbial activity
  2. Enhances plant disease suppression
  3. Increases soil fertility
  4. Increases cation exchange capacity
  5. Improves soil structure in clayey soils
  6. Improves water retention in sandy soils
  7. Reduces bioavailability of heavy metals
Types of composting
There are different methods of composting which are practiced across the
world, the simple and efficient methods are,
a) Heap method
b) Aerobic composting
c) Vermicomposting

Looking forwrd for your queries and support !!!


Conclusion of green manuring and benefits

Conclusion of green manuring

  1. Green manures are potentially an expensive way to build fertility in protected systems
  2. With rotation planning and market consideration this cost can be reduced
  3. More research is needed to measure tangible benefits.
  4. Other strategies may further improve viability. Eg. Under-sowing, mobile structures, making compost from field green manure cuttings.
Links to prepare your own Green manure
 
 
 
 


Winter N-Fix : third type of green manuring to maintain soil fertility

Winter N-Fix
  1. Sow as for Summer N-Fix but use 1002-14 disk for beans/small peas
  2. Using 20% annual rye helps as a row marker and to fill out the tares
  3. Hoe just before tares start to ‘wander’
  4. Can be undersown with phacelia late Feb, to add volume.
  5. Good option to follow and/or precede Toms, cuc, peppers etc.
 Tares / Vetch
  1. Excellent late or Winter sown
  2. The best option for N-fixing before Summer crops
  3. Deep rooting
  4. Dense foliage
 
after 4 weeks you can cut it down and use it as green manure.
 
Looking for your Support and Queries !!!!
 


Summer N-Fix : second type of green manure to maintain soil fertility

Summer N-FIx
  1. Sweet clover/crimson clover 50/50.
  2. Sown in 10” rows with earthway seeder radish/leek disc (= about 2g / m2 ).
  3. Use wheel hoe when clover is 3-4”.
  4. Flail mow and incorporate at 10 weeks, or cut to allow regrowth
  5. Can be undersown with Quick Mix when hoed to increase bulk
Sweet Clover
  1. Fast growing N-Fixer
  2. Relatively quick to germinate
  3. Extensive root system
  4. Rapidly nodulates when inoculant is used – advised!
  5. Tall growing, competative
Crimson Clover
  1. Fast growing N-Fixer
  2. Relatively quick to germinate
  3. Good amount of foliage
  4. Good short term N-fix potential
  5. Easy to destroy
  6. Will regrow from cut.
After 10 weeks cut down and use as the manure.
Thanks to karibasappa mg and nishar sahid for joining the ABCD farming
Looking for support and queries!!!!


Friday 6 February 2015

Quick Mix green manure : How to have your own green manure to maintain soil fertiity

There are three types of Green manuring depending on your needs, Namely
  1. Quick Mix – 2-3 month non-leguminous mix, fast growing, weed suppressive and reasonably drought tolerant.
  2. Summer N-Fix – 3-4 month, 2 clovers, requires weed control and inoculant, good potential for N and OM
  3. Winter N-Fix – 5-6 month, requires weed control, good before hungry summer crops.
Quick Mix
Buckwheat                    (4g/m2)
Ameranth                      (0.3g/m2)
Phacelia                        (1.2g/m2)
Sow anytime from April – Aug
Broadcast buckwheat separately.
Perhaps mix sand with small ameranth/phacelia seed to assist even sowing.
 
Can be incorporated from 6 weeks >
 
Buck wheat
  • Fast Growing
  • Shades out weeds
  • Attracts beneficial insects
  • Phosphate accumulator
  • Will germinate well in decomposing crop debris
  •  Slow to form viable seed
 
 
Green Amaranth

  • Fast growing
  • Drought resistant
  • Large woody plant if allowed to mature = possible N lock-up
  • Will not seed in long days
  • Buy as ‘grain’

 
 
Phacelia

  • Fast growing
  • Shades out weeds
  • Flowers attract beneficial insects
  • Soft tissue = rapid breakdown
  • Cut before seed set



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After 4 weeks cut all the plants and spread out on the raised bed and fill with soil and leave it for few days to decompose. After decomposing you can plant your crops.
 
Summer-n-fix green manure cultivation is explained in the tommorrow's post
 
Looking forward for your support and queries!



Green Manure for soil fertility management and its benefits

Green manuring is a practice of ploughing or turning into soil undecomposed
green plant material for the purpose of improving physical structure as well as
the fertility of the soil. It increases the availability of plant nutrients that
contribute to the yield of the crop.
 
 
The microbial activities are enhanced as the fresh organic material acts as the nutrient source for the diverse soil flora and fauna. The structure of heavy, light and sandy soil is considerably improved
and unproductive lands can be converted into fertile ones by green manuring. In hilly areas, green manuring prevents soil erosion on sloppy lands by providing very good soil cover.
 
Green manure crops are quick growing legumes and grasses that are ploughed into the field, mulched on the top of soil and used as composting material. Amongst the green manure crops sunhemp and daincha are outstanding in biomass production. It is essential that there should be sufficient moisture in the soil when the green manure crops are ploughed into the soil to facilitate the microbial activity.
 
Benefits of Green Manuring :
  1. Green manures, in the case of legumes, fix nitrogen and contribute to farm nitrogen needs.
  2. It  protect and enhance the soil’s biological activity by providing nutrition for the soil organism.
  3. It aerates the soil, consequently improving the soil structure.
  4. Green manure crops cover the soil in between successive grain crops, thus protecting the soil against wind and water erosion.
  5. Green manure crops reduce soil compaction.
  6. Green manure crops provide a habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects.