Impact of Jeevamrutha and Beejamrutha Application along with Inorganic Fertilisers on Biological Properties in the Soil and Maximisation of Yield in Pearl Millet
Taniya Mistri *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211 007, India.
Tarence Thomas
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211 007, India.
Ram Bharose
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211 007, India.
Arun Alfred David
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211 007, India.
Satya Ranjan Mohanta
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211 007, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study observation on the synergistic effects of inorganic fertilizers combined with Jeevamrutha and Beejamrutha on soil microbial and enzymatic properties in pearl millet cultivation during 2023 and 2024. The experiment assessed key soil parameters, including dehydrogenase, urease, and phosphatase activities, as well as microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and populations of nitrogen fixers, phosphorus solubilizers, and actinomycetes at 0-20 cm soil depth. Results demonstrated that the integrated application of Jeevamrutha and Beejamrutha with inorganic fertilizers significantly enhanced soil microbial activity across all parameters studied. The highest dehydrogenase and urease activities were observed in treatments with 100% RDF + Jeevamrutha + Beejamrutha (T11), reaching 62 µg TPF g-1 soil-1 day-1 and 61 µg NH₄⁺-N g-1 soil hr-1 in 2023, respectively. Similarly, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen also increased significantly in T11, with values of 381 µg C g-1 soil and 46 µg N g-1 soil in 2023. The integration of organic amendments improved nutrient cycling, microbial biomass, and overall soil fertility. These findings indicate that combining organic bioenhancers with conventional inorganic fertilizers offers a promising approach to enhancing soil health and sustainability in agricultural practices.
Keywords: Beejamrutha, enzyme activity, Jeevamrutha, microbial biomass, sustainable agriculture