Possibilities of utilizing Fly Ash in commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops : My experiences and experiments

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

As you know, Fly ash is a potential source of many macro and micro elements, including many toxic metals. According to the reference literatures, Fly ash application with various organic amendments and bio-fertilizer treatments can improve soil quality and lead to higher fertility. Like many parts of the world, the problem of disposal of Fly ash is a headache in Chhattisgarh also. The Fly ash generating industrial units are investing millions on research to search its new uses so that it can be disposed off in right way. In Chhattisgarh, these units are encouraging individual efforts and efforts of non-governmental organizations engaged in research of Fly ash utilization. Since my student life, I am aware of Fly ash.

At that time, I also got offer from the geologist of Indian Institute of Science, Kharagpur to work in Indo-Canadian project focused on utilization of Fly ash for tree production and its effect on ground water quality. But due to my interest on herbs I refused this offer. From last three years with the help of innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh, we are trying to use Fly ash in commercial production of Indian medicinal and aromatic crops. We are using it by adopting different methods. As you know, due to new field, not much work has been done on nutrient management of medicinal and aromatic crops. The herb growers having deep faith in organic farming are in search of new organic inputs other than conventional inputs. I personally feel that Fly ash can become one of the promising new organic inputs in this field. When I started field as well as laboratory experiments in different parts of Chhattisgarh at farmers field, many questions were there in my mind. The big question is the present of toxic metals in Fly ash. I was eager to know how the presence of these metals will effect the medicinal properties of these crops. Also, in absence of advanced analytical laboratories, how we will be able to analyse the crop produces for medicinal properties?

With these burning questions, we started the experiments. In these three years we have conducted experiments on Kasturi Bhendi (Abelmochus moschatus), Bach (Acorus calamus), Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Asgandh (Withania somnifera), Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina), Dhikuar (Aloe vera), Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens) and Chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum). The Fly ash is used both alone and in combination with other organic inputs. We have not found it feasible to apply the pure Fly ash in crop fields at any stage. After many trials and errors, we have prepared specific combination using Fly ash as main ingredient. In my previous articles, I have mentioned that the natives of Chhattisgarh specially the farmers use the ash of many common weeds as nutrient supplement in crop fields. We have selected five such weeds and the ash collected after the burning is mixed in equal proportion. During preparation of this mixture we also add, Green spray having fresh cow dung, fermented cow urine and extracts of common herbs (for more details, you can read previous articles). With Fly ash, as main ingredients, farm yard manure, poultry manure and vermicompost are also added in little quantities. After thorough mixing, these herbs and other material in combination with Fly ash give birth to unique product that can be used as organic input as well as plant protection measure.

We have successfully tried it again Deemak (Termites). For crop production, it can be used at different stages for specific purposes. For the first time, before planting of crops, it is applied in fields with routine application of Farm Yard manure. In case of many medicinal crops, specially in Kasturi Bhendi, Safed Musli and Asgandh, we have found it promising for presowing seed treatment. During planting of Safed Musli crop, in place of Vermicompost, we have found that this special combination more powerful. It promotes the early plant growth, very essential in case of Safed Musli production. Its application increases the production. But what about the quality? The analysis reports of last three years have revealed that the application of this combination not affects the quality of Safed Musli in terms of Saponin content. For real verification, when we presented the samples to the traditional healers specialized in use of Safed Musli as medicine for evaluation, they informed that its response to the patients is similar to the response of other Musli samples of cultivated origin. Encouraged with these findings, many Musli growers of Chhattisgarh and neighboring states have started its use commercially. The results of experiments on other medicinal and aromatic crops are awaited. Motivated by these encouraging results, we are planning to try this combination in other medicinal crops also. We are confident that the new use of Fly ash in commercial production of these crops will help both the farmers and industries. I will write more on this aspect in my future articles.

Thank you very much for reading the article.