Results of analyses of the soil samples from our organic farm in MP indicate a challenge for agriculture

A summary of the report by OP Rupela, Principal Scientist (Microbiology), ICRISAT, Patancheru, 502324.

Being aware that many farms using the method popularised by Prof. Shripad A. Dabholkar had received awards by some states / organizations for harvesting highest yields for different crops, including sugarcane and grapes, Rupela decided to analyse the soil on our farm. Being a microbiologist, he was particularly interested in the method of composting.

"Some samples of this compost had up to 100 million plant-growth promoting bacteria (siderophore producers) in every gram of the compost - highest ever measured in any compost in our lab."

"In Sept 2007, I visited at the farm, this time to spend five days. This was a new place of work for Mr Suchde. I was told that the land was only recently aquired and the 10-Gunta experiment was started only in June 2007 and thus the crops I was looking at were only about 3 months old. And there were signs of high productivity per unit area. When dug out, most plants (including upland rice) had abundant roots and were white ie. highly active."

"...there were no signs of nutrient deficiency, diseases and insect-pests worth worrying. The fact that this method does not need agrochemicals, makes it environment and farmers friendly. The method is worth exploring further and seems to have surprises for we scientists (plant pathologists, entomologists, soil fertility experts, agronomists, soil physics, crop physiologists, environmental economists, and ---?)."

OP Rupela, Principal Scientist (Microbiology), ICRISAT, Patancheru, 502324, contact O.P. Rupela

For the full report with lab analysis, contact Nandita