CHAPTER - 1
INTRODUCTION OF ORGANIC
FARMING.
Organic farming is a way of growing crops and
raising animals using natural methods. It avoids
chemicals like artificial fertilizers and pesticides.
Instead, it uses compost, natural fertilizers, crop
rotation, and biological pest control to keep the soil
and plants healthy.
The goal of organic farming is to produce safe and
healthy food while protecting nature. It helps keep
the soil rich, reduces pollution, and supports a
balanced environment. Many people choose
organic farming because it is better for health and
the planet. As more people want chemical-free
food, organic farming is becoming more popular
around the world.
Advantages of Organic Farming
1. Healthier Food – Organic produce is free from
harmful chemicals, synthetic pesticides, and
artificial additives, making it safer and more
nutritious.
2. Environmental Protection – Reduces pollution,
conserves water, and maintains soil fertility by
avoiding synthetic chemicals.
3. Improves Soil Health – Enhances soil structure
and fertility through composting, crop rotation, and
natural fertilizers.
4. Promotes Biodiversity – Supports a variety of
plants, animals, and beneficial microorganisms,
creating a balanced ecosystem.
5. Reduces Water Contamination – Prevents
harmful chemicals from entering water sources,
keeping them clean and safe.
6. Saves Energy – Uses fewer fossil fuels
compared to conventional farming, reducing
carbon emissions.
7. Better for Farmers – Reduces exposure to toxic
chemicals, improving farmers' health and safety.
8. High Market Demand – Growing consumer
preference for organic food increases profit
opportunities for farmers.
9. Supports Sustainable Agriculture – Maintains
long-term soil productivity, ensuring food security
for future generations.
10. Encourages Eco-Friendly Practices –
Promotes natural farming methods, reducing the
environmental impact of agriculture.
Disadvantages of Organic Farming
1. Lower Yield – Organic farming often produces
less output compared to conventional farming,
making it less efficient for large-scale food
production.
2. Higher Cost – Organic farming requires more
labor and natural inputs, leading to higher
production costs. This makes organic food more
expensive for consumers.
3. Time-Consuming – Organic methods take
longer to improve soil fertility and control pests
compared to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
4. Risk of Pests and Diseases – Without chemical
pesticides, organic farms may struggle with pest
infestations and crop diseases, reducing
productivity.
5. Limited Shelf Life – Organic produce lacks
preservatives, leading to shorter shelf life and
higher chances of spoilage.
6. Certification Challenges – Organic certification
is costly and time-consuming, making it difficult for
small farmers to enter the market.
7. Requires More Land – To match the yield of
conventional farming, organic farming may need
more land, which can lead to deforestation or
habitat loss.
8. Difficult Weed Control – Without chemical
herbicides, managing weeds becomes more
labor-intensive and expensive.
9. Market Limitations – Organic products may have
a smaller market and lower demand in some
regions, affecting sales and profitability.
10. Climate Sensitivity – Organic farming relies on
natural cycles, making it more vulnerable to
extreme weather conditions like droughts and
floods.
Difference between conventional
farming and organic farming
Here are the key differences between conventional
farming and organic farming :
1. Use of Chemicals
Conventional Farming: Uses synthetic fertilizers,
pesticides, and herbicides.
Organic Farming: Avoids synthetic chemicals,
using natural fertilizers like compost and manure.
2. Soil Health
Conventional Farming: Can harm soil health over
time due to chemical use.
Organic Farming: Focuses on maintaining healthy
soil through natural methods.
3. Pest Control
Conventional Farming: Uses chemical pesticides
to kill pests.
Organic Farming: Uses natural pest control
methods like insects, birds, and organic sprays.
4. GMO Use
Conventional Farming: Often uses genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) to increase yield.
Organic Farming: Prohibits the use of GMOs.
5. Impact on the Environment
Conventional Farming: Can cause pollution and
harm biodiversity.
Organic Farming: More eco-friendly, promotes
biodiversity, and reduces pollution.
6. Cost of Production
Conventional Farming: Generally cheaper and
produces more crops.
Organic Farming: More expensive due to natural
methods and lower yields.
7. Health Benefits
Conventional Farming: May contain chemical
residues in food.
Organic Farming: Free from synthetic chemicals,
making it healthier.
8. Certification
Conventional Farming: No special certification
needed.
Organic Farming: Needs certification to be labeled
as organic.
CHAPTER - 2
MATERIALS AND METHODS
●Location of student :
Elimullumplackal PO,
KONNI.
●Location of college :
KONNI
> CROPS SELECTED
1.Tomato
2. Lady finger
3. Chili
4. Brinjal
5. Ivy gourd
6. Bitter gourd
> VARIETIES
1.Tomato : Arka Abhijith, Abhinav, Namdhari,
Rashmi, Arka Vikas, and Pusa Ruby.
2. Lady finger : Kashi Lalima, Punjab
Padmini,Kashi Chaman and Sharda
3. Chili : Byadagi, Kashmiri, Guntur, Kanthari,
Jwala, Boriya, and Mathania.
4.Brinjal : Pusa Purple Cluster, Arka Nidhi, Kashi
Uttam, Niranjan Bhata.
5. Ivy gourd : Arka Neelachal Kunkhi.
6. Bitter gourd :Arka Harit, Pusa Vishesh, Pusa Do
Mausami.
> SOURCE OF SEEDS
Seeds are collected from the Krishi Bhavan,
Thannithode
>NUMBER OF GROW BAGS
15 grow bags
>CROP SEASON
1.Tomato : Tomatoes love dry weather.The best
time to grown is from November to June.
2.Lady finger : The optimum time of seed sowing
varies,generally depending upon climate. Normally
the crop is Sown between January to March.
3.Chili : The seeds are sown in March to April.
Well drained sandy loam soils are ideal for
growing.
4.Brinjal : A warm season crop. Planting can be
done in September to October.
5.Ivy gourd : The planting should be done before
rainy season (June to July) that is, in Spring
season February to March.
6.Bitter gourd : The ideal sowing times being
January to February.
>WEATHER CONDITION
PREVALIED
1.Tomato :
Tomato is a warm season crop. The best fruit
colour and quality is obtained at a temperature
range of 21-24°C. Temperatures above 32o C
adversely affects the fruit set and development.
The plants cannot withstand frost and high
humidity.
2.Lady finger :
Ladyfinger requires a warm climate throughout its
growing period because it cannot bear cold
climatic conditions. It requires a temperature range
of 22-35°c for its best growth. Seeds are unable to
germinate when the temperature is below 20°c.
The rainy season is essential for its successful
growth.
3.Chili :
Chilli being a subtropical crop comes up well in
warm humid climate (20-30 oC) and can be grown
under varied agro-climatic condition.
4.Brinjal :
Brinjal is a warm season crop and requires a long
warm growing season. It is very susceptible to
frost. A daily mean temperature of 13-21 oC is
most favourable for its successful production.
5.Ivy groud :
Ivy gourd is a tropical crop that. grows successfully
in hot and humid climatic conditions. It can be
grown virtually. throughout the year.
6. Bitter gourd :
It is a warm season crop grown mainly in
sub-tropical and hot-arid regions. They are
susceptible to light frost and are provided with
partial protection if grown during winter months.
Temperature range of 24oc -27oC is considered as
optimum for the growth of the vines.
> AGRICULTURE IMPLEMENTS AND
EQUIPMENTS USED
Spade, shovel, fork, trowel
> LIMING MATERIALS AND QUALITY
Liming materials include agricultural lime (calcium
carbonate), dolomite (calcium and magnesium
carbonate), and wood ash, focusing on materials
with high purity and fine particle size for effective
soil pH adjustment.
> MANURES
In organic farming, essential manures include
farmyard manure (FYM), compost, poultry manure,
and green manures, which are used to improve
soil health, fertility, and nutrient availability for
crops.
the different types of manures used in organic
farming:
1.Farmyard Manure (FYM):
This is a common and important source of organic
matter, derived from animal waste, and is known to
improve soil structure and nutrient content.
2.Compost:
Composting organic waste, like plant matter and
food scraps, creates a nutrient-rich soil
amendment that improves soil fertility and
structure.
3.Poultry Manure:
Manure from poultry farms can be a good source
of nutrients when composted properly
4.Green Manures:
These are crops grown specifically to be
incorporated into the soil to improve its fertility and
structure, such as legumes or cover crops.
>BASAL APPLICATION
In organic farming, basal fertilizer application
involves applying nutrients, like compost or other
organic matter, directly to the soil near the base of
the crop before or during planting, ensuring easy
access for young plants.
Test carried out on different plants were organic
fertilizers as a control (T1), 3/4 fold of the control
treatment + compost (T2), 1/2 fold of the control
treatment + compost (T3), 1 ⁄ 4 fold of the control
treatment + compost (T4) and the compost alone
(T5).These were applied as basal application of
fertilizer in the experiment.
> TOP DRESSING
Top dressing refers to a process by which any
material from either natural or synthetic origin is
added to the soil to supply nutrients to a plant or
crop. The most basic definition of top dressing
says it is an application of manure or fertilizer to
the surface layer of soil.
> BIO FERTILIZERS
A biofertilizer is a natural substance that contains
living microorganisms. When applied to seeds,
plant surfaces, or soil, these microorganisms
promote plant growth by increasing the supply or
availability of essential nutrients. Unlike chemical
fertilizers, biofertilizers are eco-friendly and help
improve soil fertility sustainably. Cow dung can be
effectively used as biofertilizers.cow dung,ash
powder, bone powder etc were the main
biofertilizers used.
