The book entitled “A Text Book of Modern Organic Farming (With Emphasis on Natural Farming)” has been prepared in detail keeping in view of the revamping of the earlier course for under-graduate in agriculture and horticulture on “Organic farming” in to “Principles and practices of natural farming” by sixth Deans’ committee of the ICAR, New Delhi. There are two main constraints in organic farming viz. nutrient management and management of pest and diseases. These two aspects have been discussed elaborately with both traditional and indigenous knowledge as well as recently developed biocontrol agents. The natural farming also included with sufficient information from age old traditional indigenous farming. In this title, there are 11 chapters covering different aspects of organic farming. The book is written to enlighten the students and researchers that the use of agrochemicals is perilous to our agro-ecosystem. Therefore, it is utmost necessary and essential to understand the concept, principles and technologies of non-chemical agriculture. We, the authors hope that the book will be immensely useful to the students of agriculture and horticulture of under-graduate, post-graduate and research scholars pursuing course on organic farming under new syllabus. In addition, the book will cater the needs of scientists, teachers, exporters policy- makers and other state holders concurred with organic food production.
Dr. K.S. Vijai Selvaraj is currently working as an Associate Professor and Head Vegetable Research Station (TNAU), Palur district, Tamil Nadu. Dr.K.S.Vijai Selvaraj holds B.Sc., (Horticulture) from Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Periyakulam in 2002, Master’s degree from AC&RI,TNAU, Madurai in 2004. and Ph.D. from HC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore in collaboration with The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem(HUJI), Israel in 2007. He was awarded the Israel Government’s prestigious Visiting Research Fellow Scholarship during 2007 by ministry of external affairs. Holds Post Doctoral Research Fellow from Agriculture Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani Centre, Israel from 2008 to 2009 in Molecular Physiology and Genetic Engineering. Currently he is handling 15 Under-Graduate courses and 5 externally funded projects. He has published 25 international research papers, 20 national research papers, 12 books with ISBN and 25 popular articles and grabbed 12 awards. He is the key breeder in development and release of nations first Tall x Tall coconut hybrid.
Dr. A. Gurusamy has completed his UG (1992) and PG (1995) programme at Annamalai University and Ph.D. at TNAU (2004). He has served in AICRP on Agrometeorology, AICRP on Palms and AICRP on irrigation water management for 15 years. Completed 14 externally funded schemes worth of 10.5 crores (5 schemes as PI and 9 schemes as Co-PI). He has released a new technology on Sub-surface drip fertigation system for mechanized sugarcane cultivation during 2013. Got farm management service of 19 years in various research stations. Handled 35 UG, 15 PG and 3 Ph.D. courses as a course teacher and guided 8 M.Sc. (Ag) students and two Ph.D. scholars as a Chairman. Acted as year coordinator and staff advisor for the UG students. Conducted 9 OFT in coconut, drip fertigation in sugarcane and aerobic rice cultivation. Organized 35 Off-campus and 5 On-campus mandatory training programme for the farmers as well as 20 trainings for extension functionaries, sugar mills and Govt officials. Organized two days Stakeholders’ workshop on SSI-issues in implementation during 2014. Attended 30 farmers’ interaction group meeting and vocational trainings of NHM, INSIMP, line departments, VAPS, Madurai and sugar mills. Acted as a resource person for the 215 farmers awareness programme of WMTI, Vinayagapuram, KVK, Madurai, TN-IAMWARM sub-basins and sugar mills and 58 SAMETI and STAMIN trainings. Demonstrated sub-surface method of planting of sugarcane under drip fertigation system and Mini portable sprinklers in the coastal sandy soils in about 170 ha, SSI technologies in 33 ha under TN-IAMWARM and NABARD schemes in Sivagangai, Thirunelveli and Virudhunagar districts. Gave three radio talks and 4 DD talks through All India Radio, Madurai and DD, Chennai. He has attended 13 National trainings, 6 International and 12 National Conferences and 7 National workshops. He was the instrumental in farm layout, augmenting water resources, purchase of farm tractor and implements; and construction of Farm Complex in AC&RI, Kudumiyanmalai. Received 3 recognition certificates for obtaining externally funded schemes from TNAU, Coimbatore. Obtained Best extension worker award of TNAU for the year 2012. And he has published five books, 33 research articles, 44 National Seminar and 15 International Seminar papers.
Dr. A. Bharathi is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Vazhavachanur, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Dr.A.Bharathi holds B.Sc. (Agriculture) and M.Sc. (Agriculture) with specialization in Plant breeding and Genetics from Annamalai University and Ph.D. from TNAU, Coimbatore in collaboration with International Crop Research Institute of Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in 2007. She was awarded the Israel Government’s prestigious Visiting Research Fellow Scholarship during 2007 by ministry of external affairs. Holds Post Doctoral Research Fellow from Agriculture Research Organization(ARO), The Volcani Centre, Israel from 2008 to 2009 in Bioinformatics. Currently, he is handling 10 Under-Graduate courses and 2 externally funded projects. She has published 9 international research papers, 20 national research papers, 4 books with ISBN and 25 popular articles and with 5 awards for her contribution to science.
Dr. P. Balasubramanian is presently working as an Associate Professor Horticulture at Regional Research Station (TNAU), Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu. As a horticulturist, he has more than 11 years of research experience in various horticultural crops. He has served as a Programme Coordinator of ICAR – KVK at Ramanathapuram district. He has been recognised as an ASCI certified trainer for coconut growers. He is the Principal investigator of NICRA scheme (Rs. 11.0 lakhs), DAMU (6.00 lakhs) and ASCI (3.5 lakhs) at KVK, Ramanathapuram district. During his career, significant contributions were made pertaining to the release of variety MDU-1 in cluster bean. He served as a Farm Manager at Soil and Water Management Research Institute, Thanjavur and also at the Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai for a period of seven years. He is the Principal Investigator of BRNS - GOI, Mumbai scheme entitled “Isolation of short statured early maturing mutant in cluster bean through gamma irradiation” with a budget of Rs. 24.11 Lakhs. He offered courses in horticulture for more than seven years for U.G, P.G, Ph.D. students in Horticulture and also guided two M.Sc. (Hort.) students. He has published 4 books and 13 research articles in peer reviewed National and International journals.
Dr. C. Rajamanickam is presently working as a Professor of Horticulture at Horticultural College and Research Institute (TNAU), Periyakulam, Theni district, Tamil Nadu. During his career, significant contribution was made pertaining to release of brinjal variety MDU-2. He obtained his B.Sc (Horticulture) and M.Sc. (Horticulture) from Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, a constituent college of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and Ph.D. (Horticulture) from College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He is having 18 years of experience in various mandates of teaching, research and extension. During the year 2017-2018, he served as a Programme Coordinator, ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramanathapuram and conducted many training programmes on cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers and plantation crops. He offered more than 30 courses in horticulture to both B.Sc. (Hort.) and B.Sc. (Ag.) students and three courses to M.Sc. (Hort.) students. He has guided two M.Sc. (Hort.) students and played active role as a member of advisory committee for more than 20 post-graduate students in different disciplines of Agriculture. He is expertise in propagation of fruit crops and also in nursery management. He has solved many field problems in horticultural crops. He has authored two books, published more than 45 research papers in both National and International Journals, 7 books in regional language, 35 book chapters and several booklets during his career. He has participated more than 30 National and International seminar, conference, symposia and workshops. He is a member of ten elite professional scientific societies across the country. He is the Principle Investigator of NICRA scheme for two years and handled two externally funded projects as Co-Principal Investigator. He has received one Best Researcher Award by Malarum Velanmai Journal, Coimbatore during the year 2015; Best Poster Paper Award (I position) in the First NABS International Conference on Life sciences organized by Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India during August 2021 and Best Paper Award in the 5th and 6th National Conference on Agriculture Science Tamil Conference organized by Agriculture Science Tamil Society, New Delhi during 2020 & 2021.
Dr. B. Devaraju, obtained Graduate and Post-graduate degree (Agronomy) from faculty of agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram during 1988-1994. He pursued Ph.D. (Agronomy) from School of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Deemed to be University, Gandhigram during 2019. He is presently working in School of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Deemed to be University, Gandhigram and he is an Agronomist specialization in nutrient and weed management of field crops. He has experience of more than 20 years in teaching, research and extension in the field of Agronomy. He has also worked in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR KVK), Gandhigram Rural Institute. During the period, he has conducted regular training programmes to the farmers about various improved crop cultivation activities. He has delivered more than 15 talks through AIR on various field problems and advanced production technology of crops. He has attended many National and International Seminars or Conference and presented papers. He has published 25 research article, 20 popular articles in leading journals and magazines. He has prepared more than 5 practical manuals in Agronomy and allied areas. He has written more than 10 book chapters and published two books.
Dr. R. Veeraputhiran is currently working as a Professor of Agronomy at the department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research institute (TNAU), Madurai and having 24 years of experience in teaching, research and extension. He pursued UG and Ph.D. degree from TNAU, Coimbatore and Master’s degree from KAU, Thirussur. He was the recipient of 4 awards (ICAR-JRF, Best Ph.D. Scholar, Best Ph.D. Thesis and TNAU-merit scholarship awards) and also 4 best research paper presentation awards in national and international conferences. He has guided 3 PG Students and released 2 varieties in cotton. He has published 5 books, 55 research, 75 popular articles and 25 practical manuals.
Dr. K. Balakrishnan, started his career as an Assistant Professor of Crop Physiology at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore during the year 1985. He was the recipient of ICAR Senior Fellowship during 1983 (All India Second Rank) and obtained Ph.D. in Crop Physiology in 1987 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (TNAU). He has also obtained Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 1988. He has also worked as a Technical Assistant in United Planter’s Association of South India, Coonoor, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu during 1981-1983. He has been teaching courses on Crop Physiology Biochemistry and Agricultural Statistics to the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate students in both Agriculture and Horticulture for the past 32 years. He served as a Principal Investigator of Foliar diagnosis in Horticultural crops in plan scheme funded by Government of Tamil Nadu, Post Harvest Technology of Horticultural crops ICAR-PHT at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam and Arid zone fruit crops funded by AICRIP (ICAR), at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Aruppukottai. He has also served as an Assistant Plant Physiologist at AICRIP (ICAR) on Tropical Fruits during 1985-1986 at the Deparment of Fruits Horticultural College and Research Institute (TNAU), Coimbatore. He operated several schemes from both private and Government agencies. He has was the member of All India ICAR Syllabus Committee on basic Agricultural sciences during 2007-2008. He has also served as a member of Board of studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during 1997-2000. His expertise in foliar diagnosis of nutritional disorders in crop plants is well-recognized by invitation to deliver lectures on various aspects of diagnosis of nutritional and physiological disorders in NGOs, Extension officials and farmers organisations. He has solved many physiological field problems. He was the founder incharge of Venture Capital Scheme on “Production of Coconut Tonic” at AC&RI, Madurai since 2006 and modified for the coconut plantations in red soil and popularized coconut tonic in Southern Tamil Nadu. He has authored and co-authored 15 book chapters and 10 books and published 60 research papers in both National and International journals, 3 extension bulletins and 120 popular articles. He has been the question setter and external examiner for M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. students in several State Agricultural Universities. He has organized one National Seminar at AC & RI, Madurai during September 2013. He has served as a Professor and Head, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during 2013 - 2015. Recognition of his 25 years of meritorious service, TNAU Award given on 41st Foundation Day celebration held on June 01, 2011. He was given Thiruvalluvar Award for his contribution in Teaching Crop Physiology courses to the under graduate students in Agriculture by Alumni Association of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam in 2017. He has been awarded Fellow of Bose Science Society (FBSS) by the Tamil Nadu Scientific Research Organization, Tamil Nadu during January 2018 for his commendable achievement in the field of Crop Physiology.
1. PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC FARMING ................................................................................................1
1.1 Importance, scope and principles of organic farming .....................................................................1
1.2 History of organic farming ..................................................................................................................6
1.3 Indigenous knowledge ......................................................................................................................11
1.4 Rationality on indigenous agriculture practices ............................................................................14
1.5 Biodiversity and measures to preserve biodiversity .....................................................................27
1.6 Organic breeding and seed production ............................................................................................41
1.7 Soil physical, chemical and biological properties ..........................................................................48
1.8 Soil improvement with organic amendments .................................................................................57
1.9 Soil organic matter ..............................................................................................................................64
1.10 Crop residue management ................................................................................................................75
1.11 Organic mulching ...............................................................................................................................93
1.12 Pressmud .............................................................................................................................................96
1.13 Biochar ................................................................................................................................................100
2. PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL FARMING ............................................................................................113
2.1 Principles of natural farming ..........................................................................................................113
3. BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE ..........................................................................................................119
3.1 Biodynamic agriculture ....................................................................................................................119
4. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................127
4.1 Fundamentals of plant nutrition ....................................................................................................127
4.2 Organic manures ...............................................................................................................................139
4.3 Role of micro and macroorganism in soil health ..........................................................................162
4.4 Biofertilizers .......................................................................................................................................169
5. COMPOSTING ........................................................................................................................................185
5.1 Principles of composting .................................................................................................................185
5.2 Vermicomposting ..............................................................................................................................196
5.3 Coirpith composting .........................................................................................................................201
5.4 Composting of poultry wastes ........................................................................................................205
5.5 Compositing of carcass farm animals ............................................................................................208
5.6 Composting of municipal waste .....................................................................................................210
6. ORGANIC BIO-ENHANCERS ..............................................................................................................217
6.1 Organic bio- enhancers ....................................................................................................................217
7. AGRONOMIC MANAGEMENT .........................................................................................................243
7.1 Crop production standards .............................................................................................................243
7.2 Intercropping ......................................................................................................................................249
7.3 Crop rotation .....................................................................................................................................270
7.4 Cover crops ........................................................................................................................................277
7.5 Conservation tillage .........................................................................................................................283
7.6 Weed management ...........................................................................................................................290
7.7 Agroforestry ......................................................................................................................................296
8. PLANT PROTECTION MEASURES ....................................................................................................301
8.1 Plant disease management ..............................................................................................................301
8.2 Insect pest management ...................................................................................................................309
8.3 Management of nematode ...............................................................................................................331
8.4 Birds and wild animals management .............................................................................................334
9 MARKETING AND CERTIFICATION ..............................................................................................341
9.1 Certification .......................................................................................................................................341
9.2 Marketing and export .......................................................................................................................349
9.3 Prospects, problems and constraints in organic farming ............................................................358
9.4 Government initiatives and NGO’S – action plan-policy consideration ...................................372
10. DIGITAL TOOLS IN ORGANIC FARMING .....................................................................................385
11. ORGANIC FOODS ON HUMAN HEALTH .......................................................................................389
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................395
