Evaluation of Natural Farming Practices on the Performance of Chickpea and Fenugreek

Background: Organic farming is an innovative farming approach. It is a low input based, climate resilient and low-cost farming system as all the inputs (manures, fungicides, insect repellents etc.) are made up of natural herbs and locally available inputs, thereby reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and industrial pesticides. Methods: To know the effect of cow-based bio-enhancers on cultivation of chickpea and fenugreek an experiment was carried out during the rabi seasons for three consecutive years at organic farm of CNRM, SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten different treatments. Result: The application of vermicompost 1.5 t/ha gave significantly higher grain and stover yields in both chickpea and fenugreek. It is evident from the data that the highest net realization of 58685 ₹/ha with the benefit: cost ratio (BCR) of 1.72 for chickpea whereas, 70939 ₹/ha and 3.06 BCR for fenugreek was obtained under treatment T1 (Panchgavya 3% as foliar spray at 30, 45, 60 DAS). However, treatment T8 (Vermi compost 1.5 t/ha) recorded the highest gross realization.