INFLUENCE OF BIODYNAMIC COMPOST BD 500 ON GROWTH AND

DEVELOPMENT OF LEAFY VEGETABLE

Amaranthus viridis
Sailaja, V., N. Naga Ragini, and C.V.Narasimha Murthy1
Department of Biotechnology and Zoology1
J.B.Degree and P.G.College, Kavali. SPSR Nellore Dt.A.P.
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted from June 2010to April 2012 at Jawahar Bharati
Degree and P.G.College gardens in order to evaluate the potential of utilizing Biodynamic
compost BD 500 as a potential fertilizer, on the leafy vegetable Amaranthus viridis. The
biomass, shoot length and root length were recorded in control and Biodynamic compost BD
500treated plants. The total microbial count and the physicochemical properties of the soil such
as pH, EC, N, P, K and OC (organic carbon) were analyzed. Quantity of Phytohormones like
Indole acetic acid (IAA), Gibberlic acid (GA3), kinetin and Abscisic acid in the manure samples
by the method of Unyayar et al., 1996. There is an increase in biomass (69.8%), shoot length
(35.2 %) and root length (70.35 %) in Biodynamic compost BD 500 treated plants over control.
The chromatographic analysis of leaf revels that there is an increase in the carbohydrate, vitamin
and mineral content of the leaf. The total viable count and the total bacterial count of Rhizobium,
Azospirillum and Actinomycetes were enhanced in Biodynamic compost BD 500treated soil.
Plant growth substances present in Biodynamic compost BD 500 treated soil help to bring rapid
changes in phenotypes of plants and also improves the growth and ultimately improve the
productivity of Amaranthus viridis.

Keywords: Biodynamic compost; soil fertility, Amaranthus viridis; leaf quality

Introduction:
Biodynamic agriculture is an advanced organic farming system developed out of eight
lectures on agriculture given by Rudolf Steiner (Rudolf Steiner, 1993) in 1924 at the request of
German farmers. This agricultural system is considered to be the oldest organized agriculture
movement in the world (Swaminathan et.al. 2007, Sugha 2005)). Like organic farming,
biodynamic farming needs no synthetic pesticides, fertilizers. Biodynamic system involves the
addition of compost, green manure, crop rotation and bio-control of pests and diseases
(Ehrenfried 1958). In comparison with the conventional methods, biodynamically managed soils
have better physical, chemical and biological properties like soil texture, porosity, water holding
capacity and organic matter (Boggs et al.1997, Maneka et al. 2005 a ; Maneka et al. 2005 b).
Higher microbial activity and earthworm population are also characteristic features of
biodynamically managed soils (Perumal et. al. 2003, Subramanian 2005). This is an eco-friendly
technology that has proved to be very effective in farming practices. Forty years of investigation
conducted by comparing biodynamic and conventional farms or research plots in different
countries indicated that the biodynamic farming system generally have better soil quality, crop
yield and equal or high net returns per hectare than the conventional farming practices(Boggs et
al.1997, Natarajan 2002, Somasundaram 2007,). BD500 is prepared by using a lactating cow
horn. In India, the availability of cow horn is becoming an issue. According to Rudolf Steiner the
clay is the mediator between calcium and silica process (Rudolf Steiner 1993). The clay soil can
therefore be used as one of the source materials in Biodynamic. Instead of using cow horn for
BD500 preparation, the horn shaped mould was fabricated with clay soil.
Several factors can directly or indirectly affect the nutritional quality of crops
(Murugesan and Raja kumara 2006). Among these are soil factors, such as pH, available
nutrients, texture, organic matter content and soil-water relationships; weather and climatic
factors are important.
Small scale cultivators of vegetable crops in tropical countries use the same piece of land
continuously, and after some years the crops suffer from nutrients deficiency, especially those of
nitrogen and phosphorus leading to poor growth and low yield. Where common NPK fertilizer is

used, the crops also suffer from lack of nutrients not supplied such as Ca and Mg. This is apart
from the problems of scarcity and high cost of chemical fertilizer.
Few farmers in the southern parts of India have used modified formulations of
Biodynamic compost BD 500and found them to enhance the biological efficiency of the crop
plants and the quality of fruits and vegetables (Swaminathan et al. 2007, Natarjan, 2002). Some
of the problems encountered by amaranth growers include decreasing soil fertility and quantity
of manure required for optimum crop productivity (Lucas and Ojeifo, 1985; Adeyemi et al.,
1987). Inadequate supply chemical fertilizer and lack of capital to buy them in other countries
(Adeyemi et al., 1987; Olufolaji et al., 1990; Olufolaji et al., 1999). To increase the availability
of high quality amaranth throughout the year at reduction in its price, there is a need to use
organic manures in large quantity. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate an organic
fertilizer called Biodynamic compost BD 500 on the growth and yield of Amaranthus viridis.

METERIAL AND METHODS

Preparation BD500 is made by filling a cow's horn with cow dung, and burying it in the soil
during the cooler months - November through February. However in this experiment the clay
soil was used to prepare a cow horn shaped mould instead of using cow horn for BD500
preparation. These mud horns were filled in with lactating cow dung which will bring in the
calcium processes to the preparation. The horns were buried in a pit about 40 cm deep and
covered with soil that has been enriched with good quality compost. Care was taken not to allow
weeds to grow on the pit as the weed roots can grow into the preparation. The horns were buried
open end down so that they will not become water logged if the pit is over watered. The pit was
kept cool by mulching with paddy straw or similar and shaded with a low thatching of coconut
fronds. The preparation was ready after 4 months and is having dark humus with sweet smell. It
was stored in a cool place and in glass jars surrounded by damp coir pith as insulation. It is used
in small quantities at the rate of 25 grams in 13 liters of water per acre.
Vegetable cultivation
Amaranthus viridis L Annual herb leaves alternate, ovate to deltoid and often emarginated,
inflorescence terminal, panicled, slender spikes. Stamens and perianth lobes three each. Field
experiments were conducted from June 2010to April 2012 at Jawahar Bharati Degree and

P.G.College gardens .The seeds of green amaranth (Amaranthus viridis) were purchased from
the Department of Agriculture, Nellore district. The vegetables were cultivated in a randomized
block design with three replicates each with 1.5 cent plot area. One plot is sprinkled with normal
water and labeled as control. The second plot is sprayed with Biodynamic compost BD 500and
labeled as Biodynamic compost BD 500treated. After one hour the seeds of green amaranth are
weighed equally for two plots and sown at a time.
Biometrical analysis
The green amaranth biometric analysis such as Biomass (weight of the plant) was done
gravimetrically. Shoot height and root height were recorded after 20 days.
Soil physicochemical analysis
The soil from control, and Biodynamic compost

BD 500 treated

were analyzed for

physicochemical properties such as pH, EC, N, P, K and OC (organic carbon) following standard
soil & manure analysis( Murugesan and Rajakumari, 2006).
Microbial analysis
The microbial analysis of soils was done by using standard viable count technique using
hemocytometer and digital colony counter. The media such as, yeast extract manitol agar for
Rhizobium, Azospirillum isolation medium, Azotobactor isolation agar medium and rose Bengal
nutrient agar medium were used for the enumeration of the total bacteria, Rhizobium,
Azospirillum, and Actinomycetes . All the experimental analyses were carried out in triplicates
and the average value were recorded.
Circular paper chromatographic analysis
Test samples of control and Biodynamic compost BD 500treated green amaranth each of 2.5
grams were ground in to a fine paste by using mortar and pestle and individually placed into 250
ml Erlenmeyer flasks each containing fifty ml of 0.5% sodium hydroxide solution, mixed
thoroughly and kept on an orbital shaker (100 rpm) for 3 hrs. 5 ml of sample extract was placed
into a Petri dish then put the prepared filter paper with a new wick over the solution in the Petri
dish. The solution was allowed to spread up to 6 cm pencil mark. Removed the disc and wick

and placed the disc again on a Petri dish for complete drying in a shade/ dark compartment. After
complete drying, the disc was exposed to a diffused day light in order to develop pattern and
color. The differences in distance (Rf value), colour, pattern and shape of the chromatograms
were analyzed.
Extraction and estimation of Plant growth hormones from manure
Extraction and estimation of growth hormones like Indole acetic acid (IAA), Gibberlic acid
(GA3), kinetin and Abscisic acid in twelve organic manures were performed according to the
method of Unyayar et al., 1996.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Amaranthus viridis is a, bushy, green leaf, called African spinach belonging to the family
Amaranthaceae. It is the most commonly grown leafy vegetable of the lowland tropics in India
and Africa. Leafy vegetables require more nitrogen than other vegetable crops hence the need for
adequate nitrogen fertilization. Somasundaram and Singaram (2006) analyzed Biodynamic
compost BD 500to know its composition which was found to contain total N (302.00 mg/kg),
total P (218.00 mg/kg), total K (355.00 mg/kg), total sugars (205.00 g/ml), glucose (6.00
mg/dl), sodium (96.00 mg/kg), calcium (27.00 mg/kg), total organic carbon (0.80 per cent), IAA
(9.15 mg/kg), GA (4.00 mg/kg), phenols (0.75 g/ml) bacteria (34 x 106 cfu/ml), fungi (22 x 104
cfu/ml), Actinomycetes (3 x 1012 cfu/ml), Pseudomonas (45 x 103 cfu/ml), yeast (35 x 104
cfu/ml), lactic acid bacteria (22 x 106 cfu/ml), methylotrophs (5 x 103 cfu/ml), Azospirillum (2 x
102 cfu/ml), Acetobacter (43 x 103 cfu/ml), ammonium oxidizers (24 x 105 cfu/ml), nitrite
oxidizers (2 x 102 cfu/ml), pH (5.62), EC (10.3 dS/m), Zn (0.26 mg/kg), Fe (0.83 mg/kg), Mn
(0.23 mg/kg) and Cu (0.2 mg/kg).
The data on the impact of Biodynamic compost BD 500 on the yield attributes of leafy
vegetable Amaranthus viridis is presented in Table 1. There is an increase in Total biomass
(113%), shoot length (63.1 %) and root length (97.1 %) in Biodynamic compost BD 500treated
plants over control.
The data on the effect of Biodynamic compost BD 500on the leaf quality of Amaranthus
viridis is presented in Table-II. The data from the tables reveal that application of Biodynamic
compost BD 500significantly influenced the leaf quality by improving the mineral, vitamin and

carbohydrate content of the leaf. Non significant changes were observed with reference to leaf
proteins.
The data on Impact of Biodynamic compost BD 500on the soil quality is presented in
Table III.
The soil quality parameters such as The total microbial count and the physicochemical properties
of the soil such as pH, EC, N, P, K and OC (organic carbon), total viable count of bacteria and
Quantity of Phytohormones like Indole acetic acid (IAA), Gibberlic acid (GA3), kinetin and
Abscisic acid in the soils are enhanced.
Effective microorganisms can improve soil quality, growth and yield of crops by
synthesizing Phytohormones such as auxins and other growth regulators that might have
simulated the growth of plants (Xu et. al., 2000). Presence of naturally occurring beneficial and
effective

microorganisms

predominantly

lactic

acid

bacteria,

yeast,

Actinomycetes,

photosynthetic bacteria and certain fungi were improved with Biodynamic compost BD 500
treatment.
Plants sprayed with Biodynamic compost BD 500invariably produce bigger leaves and
develop denser canopy (Somasundaram et al. 2007, Tharmaraj et al. 2011) The photosynthetic
system is activated for enhanced biological efficiency, enabling synthesis of maximum
metabolites and photosynthesis. Adding Biodynamic compost BD 500during the composting
process helps to improve the quality of compost. Using Biodynamic compost BD 500also helps
to increase the yield and quality of the products (Subramanian 2005) Compared to chemical
fertilizers, this is less expensive and more ecofriendly with no side effects.

References
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Lucas E.O., Ojeifoi.M.1985. Partitioning of dry matter and nutrient in two varieties of
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TABLE I: Impact of Biodynamic compost BD 500on the yield attributes of leafy vegetable
Amaranthus viridis.
Mean, S.D. + or indicate percent change over control. Values are mean of 20 observations.
p denotes the level of significance and N.S. Non significance
S.No.

Parameter

Control

Biodynamic compost BD
500treated

1.

Biomass (g)

2.

Shoot
length

10.6
1.2
9.32
0.8

18
1.4
12.63
0.9

% Increase or
decrease over
control
+69.81
P<0.001
+35.52
P<0.001

3.

Root length

6.24
0.4

10.63
0.82

+70.35
P<0.01

TABLE II: Impact of Biodynamic compost BD 500 on the leaf quality of Amaranthus viridis
Mean, S.D. + or indicate percent change over control. Values are mean of 8 observations. p
denotes the level of significance and N.S. No significance

Chromatographic S.No. Parameter

Zone

Inner

Width (Cm)

20.2

Biodynamic
compost BD
500treated
3.50.5

Rf value

0.30.002

0.580.34

Color

Deep yellow

Pale
Yellow
Pattern of spikes Circular
Thick
Number of
151.6
spikes
Vitamins and
Average +
Minerals
Width (Cm)
1.0

Rf value

0.750.02

Color

4
5
6

Middle

0.50.2

Regular
Spearing
608

1.750.3

Light Green

6
1

Width (Cm)

2.20.2

1.50.2

Rf value

0.870.3

0.970.3

Color

4
5
6

Dark
green
Pattern of spikes Thin
Regular
Number of
554
spikes
Proteins
Better
+++

% Increase
or decrease
over control
75.0
P<0.001
93.33
P<0.001

400.0
P<0.001

Better++

Dark
yellow
Pattern of spikes Light
bands
Number of
452.5
spikes
Carbohydrates
Better+++

Outer

Control

Strong
Bands
453.5

75.0
P<0.001
50.0
P<0.001

-0.0
NS

Better +++
-31.82
P<0.001
11.49
NS

Light green
Thin
Outside
586
Best ++++

5.45
NS

TableIII: Impact of Biodynamic compost BD 500on the soil quality

Mean, S.D. + or indicate percent change over control. Values are mean of 8 observations. p
denotes the level of significance and N.S. No significance
S.No. Parameter

Control

Biodynamic compost
BD 500treated

1.

pH

5.30.02

7.20.056

2.

0.040.002 0.180.0.2

3.

Electrical conductivity
(m.mhos)
Nitrogen

0.390.1

1.960.4

4.

Phosphorous

0.50.02

1.170.52

5.

Potassium

0.730.5

2.500.46

6.

Organic carbon

7.831.2

21.452.5

7.

Moisture content (%)

8.71.23

26.47.56

8.

Total Viable
count(TVC)
X 106

17527.78

29527.90

Total Rhizobial count

859.45

11012.98

29.41
P<0.01

6223.2

12511.76

101.61
P<0.001

9.

P<0.001

X 106
10

Total Azospirillum
count

% Increase or
decrease
over control
28.0
P<0.001
350
P<0.001
402.6
P<0.001
134
P<0.001
242.5
P<0.001
173.94
P<0.001
203.5
P<0.001
68.57

X 106
11

Total Actinomycetes
count X 106

363.1

421.2

22.22
P<0.001

12

Indoleacetic acid
(mg/Kg)

46956

73534.78

72.49
P<0.001

13

Gibberlic acid3(mg/Kg)

56438

58067

14

Abscisic acid(mg/Kg)

81045

57134

2.83
NS
-29.51
P<0.001

15

Kinetin(mg/Kg)

262.5101

553154

110.67
P<0.001