Effect of panchgavya on soil chemical properties of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) rhizosphere and crop productivity in western Rajasthan

Inview of the cost effectiveness and eco-friendly characteristics of the organic amendments, a field experiment was conducted on the high pH soils of arid zone of India to test the efficacy of panchgavya solution as an organic means to ameliorate sodic soil under irrigated condition. Soil application of panchgavya solution @ 3 l/m² significantly decreased the soil pH from 9.0 to 8.3 during initial 5 days period whereas it increased soil organic carbon content by 50% and availability of P, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn in the rhizosphere by 17% over the control throughout the crop growth stages. The same treatment raised pod yield, haulm yield and biological yield to the tune of 85.3, 93.2 and 89.7% respectively, over the control. Similarly, foliar application of panchgavya in combination with datura (Datura metel) leaf extract at 1:1 also enhanced pod yield significantly over control.