Biochemical Efficacy of Homa Organic Farming Practices in okra (Abelomoschus esculentus var. Arka Anamika L. Moench)
Abstract
A field experiment laid out in CRBD with 18 treatments replicated thrice was
conducted during kharif 2012 to study the biochemical efficacy of Homa organic farming
practices in okra (Abelomoschus esculentus var. Arka Anamika). The conventional control
(CC) and control without homa (CWH) were maintained almost 1 km away. The soil type
was red black. The non-homa ash was collected after burning the agricultural waste.
Agnihotra homa (AH) was performed at sun rise and sun set and Om Tryambakam homa
(OTH) was performed for 3-4 h daily during experimental period. Liquid organic manures
viz, Panchgavya Jeevamruta and Gloria Biosol (GB) were prepared. The non-homa ash, AH
ash, OTH ash and GB were used for soil and foliar application. Soil and foliar application of
GB was significantly superior over organic control in yield attributes. Significant increase in
microbial population in soil, ctivities of soil dehydrogenase and phosphatase was observed.
Macro and micro nutrient status of soil and okra fruits in homa treatments was significantly
superior over organic control. Glaring increase was observed in okra fruits in its ascorbic acid
content and in P (58%), K (98%), Cu (52%), Zn (48%), Mn (17%) and Fe (23%) contents
over organic control. Significant reduction was observed in the incidence of powdery mildew
(36%), alterneria leaf spot (57%), insect attack by fruit borer (38%) and Spodoptera litura
larvae per plant (68%) due to soil and foliar application of GB and different homa treatments.