True manure is odorless and black-blue colour: Improperly prepared cow dung-based country manure can cause termites and fungal diseases

Farmers across the state have now abandoned chemical farming and turned to natural-organic farming. Cow dung manure plays an important role in this cultivation, although if this fertilizer is used without proper information, the harm can be more than the benefits. Use of this fertilizer should be avoided without expert guidance or self-experience. Mainly true cow dung manure is odorless and black-brown in colour. Farmers have been using cow dung-based manure for years to maintain soil fertility. Despite the increasing use of chemical fertilizers, most of the farmers in Gujarat are applying cow dung manure in the field once in two seasons, so that the organic content of the soil increases, moisture is maintained and the growth of the crop improves. But many times, farmers use the manure without identifying whether it is well rotten or not, leading to problems like root rot, termite infestation, fungal diseases and reduced growth in kharif crops. He further said that most farmers collect cattle dung in piles at one place and spread it directly in the field at the beginning of the season. But the upper surface of the pile dries out due to sunlight, while the lower part remains moist. In such moist fertilizer, termites, fungi and harmful bacteria develop, which affect the root system of the crop going into the field. This effect is especially seen in groundnut, cotton, soybean and vegetable crops. Nitrogen imbalance arises (photo) Completely decomposed dung manure is black-brown in colour, brown and odorless. If there is a strong smell from the manure, heat or large tumour-like parts, it is considered to be semi-rotten. Applying such manure directly to the field creates an imbalance of nitrogen in the soil and adversely affects the early growth of the plant. Mixing culture decomposes early Organic remedies like 'waste decomposer' can be used if the farmer does not have enough decomposed cow dung. If the dung heap is covered with moisture and this culture is mixed in it, the fertilizer decomposes faster and the incidence of harmful fungal pests is reduced. The fertilizer can be useful in about 25 to 40 days. It should be spread in the field 20 days before the rains It is more beneficial to mix cow dung manure in the field 15 to 20 days before the onset of rains. Mixing manure at the time of final ploughing improves soil composition and increases moisture holding capacity. Not only cow dung manure but also proper use of neem shell, ash, jivamrut, solid jivamrut and organic micronutrients maintains the health of the soil. How do you identify rotten and semi-decaying manure? - Completely rotten manure should be brown and odourless. - Black or dark blue colour is a sign of good fertilizer - If you feel hot, you can assume that the manure is still rotting - Avoid use if white fungus, termites or worms are found - Risk of root rot due to large knots and moist manure Expert method of preparing cow dung manure Cow dung should be stored in a pile in a shady place, periodically moistened and covered with a pile. Add a 'waste decomposer' or Trichoderma mixture to it. Allow it to rot for 25 to 40 days and filter the manure and spread it in the field before use. What will you add to cow dung? Add neem khol, wood ash, Jivamrut, Ghanjivamrut, organic micro-nutrients and compost made from crop residue to cow dung manure to get good yield. Bhaskar Expert: Paresh Goswami, Meteorologist, Junagadh.