Impact of jeevamrit and beejamrit application on growth, yield attributes of Indian mustard

Abstract

This field experiment investigated the effects of natural farming on Indian mustard during the rabi season of 2024-25 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, Uttar Pradesh. The objective was to evaluate the impact of natural farming practices-specifically Jeevamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, and mulching on mustard growth, soil health, nutrient availability and economic viability. The experiment employed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications. Parameters such as plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, siliquae count, seed yield, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil were systematically recorded. The treatment combining Ghanjeevamrit + Jeevamrit + Mulching consistently outperformed others, recording the highest plant height (1890 cm), seed yield (17.9 q ha⁻¹), and biological yield (65.9 q ha⁻¹). Significant improvements in soil organic carbon (0.54%), available nitrogen (186 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (13.25 kg ha⁻¹), and potassium (113 kg ha⁻¹) were also observed under this treatment. Economically, the same treatment achieved the highest gross returns (Rs. 1, 07, 041 ha⁻¹) and net returns (Rs. 74, 211 ha⁻¹) with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.26. The combined use of Jeevamrit and Ghanjeevamrit with mulching proved most effective for enhancing crop productivity, improving soil fertility, and achieving cost efficiency. These findings suggest that natural farming can be a viable, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical-intensive agriculture, especially in regions like Eastern Uttar Pradesh where Indian mustard is a key oilseed crop.