Natural Farming Practices Impact on Yield and Macro Nutrient Uptake of Sorghum

Abstract

The objective of the experiment is to study the effect of different natural farming practices on sorghum yield and nutrient uptake. For this a field experiment was carried out in 2023 at the Eastern block - Field No. NA 02, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. The experiment included a randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. Zero Budget Natural Farming techniques were fully implemented, encompassing the use of Ghanajeevamirit as a basal application, treating seeds with Beejamirit, applying Jeevamirit every two weeks via irrigation, practicing intercropping and mulching, and employing Whapasa (Alternate Furrow irrigation). Additionally, both organic and integrated plots were integrated into the approach. Results revealed that application of 50% organic and 50% inorganic treatments with organic pest repellants as ICM (T8) produced noticeably highest grain yield (2781 kg ha-1), stover yield (5682 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake (135.39, 45.09 and 80.49 kg ha-1), which was comparable to T9 ICM using chemical pest repellants. In comparison to natural farming plots, the organic farming plot (T7) showed considerably higher grain yields (2555 kg ha-1), stover yields (5456 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake (122.49, 39.40, and 66.91 kg ha-1). There were considerably greater grain yield (2294 kg ha-1), stover yield (5173 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake (108.32, 34.17, and 56.17 kg ha-1) in complete Natural Farming plot T2, which include all components (B+J+G+M+I+W) compared to control treatment which had considerably lower grain yield (1597 kg ha-1), stover yield (4306 kg ha-1) and NPK uptake rates (58.28, 15.49 and 27.75 kg ha-1).