Release of Plant Essential Nutrients from Yagya Ash and Impact on Pea (Pisum sativum) Growth

Recent increases in crop productivity worldwide have been mainly accomplished by increased chemical fertilizer inputs and if food demand rises in the future, it is expected that this input will rise even more [1]. The realization that the rhizosphere and biosphere have been somewhat neglected in the conventional chemical agriculture makes sustainable agriculture the top focus. The environment, soil health and yield quality have all suffered as a result of the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals in recent decades [2].

A healthy soil is essential for producing healthy crops, which in turn improves human welfare. Soils that are nutrient-deficient and contaminated have a significant impact on plant growth and human health. According to current reports, the majority of Indian soils have low organic carbon contents, less than 0.5 percent as well as other nutritional deficiencies. Searching for economically viable, environmentally sound, technically feasible and accessible approaches is essential to maintaining soil fertility. Replacing synthetic fertilizer with renewable organic sources is one way to potentially address these issues [3]. Managing locally available organic resources has proven to be the best way of action. However, the nutrient content of the organic source and nutrient release behaviour in the soil determine appropriateness of the organic sources. Using incubation studies with soil in its natural environment to examine the pattern of nutrient release is one way to determine the compatibility of any organic source. Furthermore, it is crucial to create a strong, useful and appropriate package of nutrient management employing organic resources for various crops based on data from trials, local conditions and economic viability. Conventional wood ash that is frequently seen as waste, can be applied to soil as a liming agent and to correct nutrient imbalances or deficiencies in forests [4]. Ash applications have been shown to improve soil nutrient content and microbial activity, mineralization, and nitrification [5,6]. According to studies conducted in the field and in greenhouses, ash treatments have significantly increased the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil [7,8]. This has also improved the plant growth [9]. However, the conventional wood ash contains heavy metals and other pollutants from the source [10]. Yagya or Agnihotra ash, which is infused with the medicinal qualities of wood and other materials used in Yagya, could be employed to get over this limitation. Yagya ash is known to have a good quantity of soil nutrients. Yagya is a practice that is carried out in many nations worldwide. Despite being an age-old fire ritual, it involves burning dried cow dung, unpolished rice, cow butter and medicinal wood like mango etc. in a copper vessel that is typically shaped like an inverted pyramid. Yagya has been traditionally associated with spiritual and environmental benefits. Yagya ash and fumes from Yagya are beneficial for agriculture, water and air purification, lowering the pathogenicity of bacteria and enhancing the health of living things. In addition to being recognized to support plant growth, this ash is used to treat a wide range of ailments. In certain early trials, it has been shown to reduce pest and insect attack, improve seed germination, and neutralize damaging radiations. However, long-term, in-depth field studies supported by scientific data are still lacking.

Focussing the appropriateness of Yagya ash in supplying plant essential nutrients, an incubation study with Yagya ash and wood ash at different doses was conducted in sandy loam soil. Pot trials at optimum ash dose obtained by incubation study were conducted. The main objectives werei) to quantify and compare the phytoavailable nutrient release from ash at different doses ii) understand the mechanism of release by investigating ash surfaces before after incubation, iii) impact of ash on pea plant growth and yield.