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

Abstract— This study investigates the agricultural benefits of Yagya (Agnihotra) by analysing the release of essential plant nutrients from Yagya ash and its impact on the growth of pea (Pisum sativum). Incubation experiments and pot trials with Yagya and wood ash were conducted. Incubation study revealed that all treatments were able to improve the soil fertility. Maximum organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potassium were obtained in treatment YA5 and WA6 (0.93% and 1.05%), YA6 and WA6 (159.04 kg/ha and 215.04 kg/ha) and YA6 and WA6 (280.8 kg/ha and 374.6 kg/ha). Available Sulphur was increased by 14.1 to 140.8 and 3.8 to 33.3-fold in Yagya ash and wood ash treatments. pH and electrical conductivity of the soil increased initially in all treatments and normalized at the end of the incubation study in Yagya ash whereas neutral pH was not attained for wood ash treatments. FTIR characterization of ash shows the presence of carboxylic acids, alkenes and alcohols. No significant changes were observed between the surface morphologies of the ash samples before and after incubation. Likewise, pot trials results revealed that Yagya ash improved the plant growth and yield. Maximum seed germination (73.3%), plant length (78.5 cm), plant biomass (29.2g), nodules (20), pod length of 9.37 cm were observed in treatment T5 (Yagya ash + chemical). Additionally, Yagya ash application with organic and inorganic inputs improved the plant nutrients. Findings suggest that Yagya ash can serve as an effective organic fertilizer, promoting sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient availability and plant growth.