Exploring the Role of Jeevamrutha Fermentation and Dosage in Promoting Microbial Health and Sustainable Rice Cultivation

Abstract

Microbial activity in soil is a key indicator of soil health and fertility, as microbes play a pivotal role in nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and plant growth promotion. The efficacy of Jeevamrutha depends on several factors, including the source of livestock dung, fermentation conditions, and application rates. This study investigates the optimisation of Jeevamrutha fermentation and application rates, combined with Beejamrutha seed treatment, to enhance microbial activity and sustainable rice production in transplanted systems. The present study was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024 at the NSP-6 Farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (U.P.), India. Jeevamrutha, prepared from various livestock dung sources, was applied at rates of 1000–2500 L ha⁻¹ alongside 20–100% recommended fertiliser doses (RDF) across ten treatments. The experiment assessed microbial populations in Jeevamrutha and its effects on rice growth, yield attributes, and yield. Results revealed significant variations in plant height, tiller numbers, panicle length, grains per panicle, test weight, and yields across treatments. Treatment T3 (90% RDF + 1125 L ha⁻¹ Jeevamrutha) consistently outperformed others, achieving the highest plant height (108.10 cm), tiller numbers (449.65 m⁻²), panicle length (25.00 cm), grains per panicle (190.00), test weight (23.21 g), and grain yield (47.67 q ha⁻¹). Beejamrutha seed treatment supported early vigour, aiding nutrient uptake. Sole Jeevamrutha application (T1) yielded the lowest results, indicating insufficient nutrient supply without RDF. T4 (80% RDF + 1250 L ha⁻¹ Jeevamrutha) also showed promising results, suggesting potential for reduced chemical inputs. These findings advocate Integrated nutrient management (INM) for sustainable rice production, with T3 as an optimal strategy, warranting further research into long-term soil health and scalability.