A study on zero budget natural farming and foliar spray on the nutritional value of oats (Avena sativa)

Abstract

The present study was carried out during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 at the Research Farm of Himalayan University, Arunachal Pradesh to evaluate the effect of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) practices and organic foliar sprays on the nutritional quality of oats (Avena sativa). The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design with seven treatments, including combinations of FYM, biomass mulching, and foliar sprays such as Panchagavya, Jeevamrut, and Beejamrut. Results indicated that the treatment with biomass mulching + Panchagavya spray (T4) significantly improved both carbohydrate (54.06%) and protein content (9.06%) in oats compared to the control and other treatments. The improvement is attributed to enhanced soil moisture retention, microbial activity, and nutrient availability. This study concludes that ZBNF-based practices, particularly the integration of biomass mulching with Panchagavya, can effectively enhance the nutritional quality of oats while promoting sustainable and low-input farming systems.