Application of biodynamic preparations and organic manures for or- ganic production of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)

Abstract

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is a harbacous and medicinal crop which is one of the most important
export crop of India. Export of organic spices is increasing from India and cumin is one of them. This study
was conducted to develop package of practice for production of organic cumin. The objective of this field
study was to evaluate the effect of biodynamic manure (BD 500 and BD 501) in combination with vermicompost
and farm yard manure on growth and yield of cumin. The effect of BD 500 and BD 501 in combination with
FYM and vermicompost was evaluated following all practices of organic management for insect – pest and
disease control. The results showed that the application of BD 500 and BD 501 along with either FYM @ 6t/
ha or vermicompost @ 2t/ha recorded a significant increase of 20.56 and 12.85 percent in seed yield of cumin
over the application of FYM @ 6t/ha and Vermicompost @ 2t/ha alone, respectively. The results showed
that application of FYM @ 6 t ha-1 is significantly superior in enhancing the yield of cumin in comparison to
vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1 under organic production system. Combined application of biodynamic manure BD
500 and BD 501 with FYM or vermicompost gave an additional yield of 94 to 130 kg ha-1 in comparison to sole
application of FYM or vermicompost to cumin. Application of BD 500 together with BD 501 had the signifi-
cant effect on yield of cumin over the application of BD 500 only and gave and additional yield of 48 to 95 kg
ha-1. Indeed, integrated use of organic manure + biodynamic preparations (BD 500 and BD 501) resulted into
the maximum increase in yield attributes and yield of cumin under organic production system.