Microbiological analysis of Panchagavya, vermicompost, and FYM and their effect on plant growth promotion of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) in India

Abstract

Organic farming systems are based on principles of nutrient cycling and the minimal use of external inputs. In India, Panchagavya, vermicompost, and farmyard manure are integral components of nutrient management in organic farming systems. The aim of this study was to characterize these three different organic preparations with respect to microbiological quality and impacts on early crop growth. Among the three preparations, Panchagavya had the highest population of total bacteria (22 × 109 cfu ml−1), actinomycetes (60 × 104 cfu ml−1), phosphate solubilizers (103 × 106 cfu ml−1), fluorescent pseudomonads (151 × 105 cfu ml−1), and nitrifiers (5.4 × 106 cfu ml−1). Dehydrogenase activity (6.61 μg g−1 h−1) and microbial biomass carbon (89.6 μg g−1) were also found to be higher in Panchagavya. The short-term plant growth test with Cajanus cajan seeds treated with Panchagavya showed enhanced length of root (19.4 cm) and shoot (16.9 cm), dry mass (147 mg), leaf area (14.57 cm2), chlorophyll content (23 spad units), and photosynthetic activity (18.8 μmol m−2 s−1) after 15 days of sowing. Hence, these tests suggest that Panchagavya can be used as a low-cost preparation to support plant growth in organic agriculture.