Biotechnology for Sustainability: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives

Biotechnology for Sustainability
Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives Biotech Sustainability (2017), P525-533
Panchakavya: Organic Fertilizer and Its Stimulatory
Effect on the Seed Germination of Abelmoschus
esculentus and Solanum melongena
V. Ramya and S. Karpagam*
Department of Botany, Queen Mary’s College, Chennai - 4, Tamil Nadu, India;
*Correspondence: s.karpagam98@gmail.com; Tel.: +91 9444944835
Abstract: Panchakavya is an incredible source of growth promoting substances. From ancient
period cow‟s urine has been used as a medicine. In India, drinking of cow urine has
been practiced for thousands of years. Panchakavya is a term used in Ayurveda to describe
five important major substances, obtained from cow, which include cow‟s urine, milk,
ghee, curd and dung all the five products posses medicinal properties against many disorders
and are used for the medicinal purpose singly or in combination with some other
herbs. This kind of treatment is called „panchakavya therapy‟ or „cowpathy‟. The indiscriminate
use of chemical pesticides resulted in environmental problems. An alternative to the
chemicals is the natural products, one such as the panchakavya. Panchakavya is the single
organic input that acts as a fertilizer, pesticide, growth promoter and immunity booster.
The effect of panchakavya (cow urine) on the seed germination was studied in two plants
namely Abelmoschus esculentus L.Moench (Lady‟s finger) and Solanum melongena L.
(brinjal). The germination percentage was calculated. After germination the shoot and root
length was measured and seedling vigour index was calculated. Cytotoxic effect of panchakavya
on cell growth and cell division was studied in onion bulbs. The panchakavya at
1% concentration favoured the production of larger number of roots. This article highlights
that panchakavya is more effective, easy to prepare, environmental friendly and could be
used as a good fertilizer to boost the growth and productivity of agricultural crops.
Keywords: Abelmoschus: mitotic index; panchakavya: Solanum melongena: seed germination
1. Introduction
Agriculture is means of livelihood
for millions of people in India and
worldwide with crops chiefly dependent
on rainfall and fertilizers. India is not only
self-sufficient in food production but
also has a substantial reserve (Gupta and
Gopal, 2001). The latest trend is turned to
organic farming, since the side effects of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides have
been established. India is the third largest
producer and consumer of chemical fertilizers
in the world. Heavy use of chemicals
in agriculture has weakened the ecological
balance, in addition to the degradation
of soil; water resources and quality
of the food. At this juncture, a keen
awareness has sprung on the adoption of
organic farming as a remedy to cure the
ills of modern chemical agricultural practice.
It is very much essential to develop a
strong workable and compatible package
of nutrient management through organic
resources for various crops, based on scientific
facts, local conditions and economic
viability (Nene, 1994; 1999). Cow
is described as “Kamdhenu” (one which
fulfills all the wishes) since vedic times in
Indian civilization. According to ayurveda
cow products are used to treat various
disease conditions in human beings. Five
ISBN: 978-967-14475-3-6; eISBN: 978-967-14475-2-9 525