Scientific Aspects of Agnihotra: Agriculture and Food Quality (Part 12)

Scientific Aspects of Agnihotra: Agriculture and Food Quality (Part 12)

Scientist

By Dr. Ulrich Berk (Germany)

For good health proper diet with nutritious vegetables, fruits, and grains is of great importance. But it seems that with the food produced nowadays our bodies often do not get all the micronutrients they need to maintain good health. Several recent studies show that there is a decline in nutritional value of vegetables, fruits, and grains.

A Scientific American article summarizes several such studies which compare the nutrient levels of food nowadays with tables of nutrient content 50 to 70 years ago. 

One study showed that average calcium levels in 12 fresh vegetables dropped 27 percent; iron levels 37 percent; vitamin A levels 21 percent, and vitamin C levels 30 percent. Another study comparing nutrient levels of 20 vegetables found that the average calcium content had declined 19 percent; iron 22 percent; and potassium 14 percent. Yet another study concluded that one would have to eat eight oranges today to derive the same amount of Vitamin A as our grandparents would have gotten from one. (See: www.scientificamerican.com/article/soil-depletion-and-nutrition-loss)

Other studies cited by Worldwatch Institute report that today’s food produces 10 to 25 percent less iron, zinc, protein, calcium, vitamin C, and other nutrients. Researchers from Washington State University who analyzed 63 spring wheat cultivars grown between 1842 and 2003 found an 11 percent decline in iron content, a 16 percent decline in copper, a 25 percent decline in zinc, and a 50 percent decline in selenium.

(http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5339)

The decline of nutritional value of our foods not only refers to minerals and vitamins. There is also a loss in phytonutrients, most of them less known to most of us – but they play an important role for preventing disease and maintaining good health. 

These plant extracts show antioxidant, bactericidal, and antimicrobial effects.

A lack of nutrition in our foods leads to a number of diseases and ailments.

Human health conditions such as chronic coronary thrombosis, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, old age, and lifestyle-related diseases are associated with the diet. Declining food quality can thus be one reason why such lifestyle diseases are increasing in the last decades.

Several theories have been suggested to explain the decline in food quality. The main reasons for that seem to be:

  • Soil depletion (remember – we have talked about that subject earlier)
  • Changes in cultivated varieties: nowadays are mostly growing high-yielding varieties which are less nutritious than the plants being used earlier. 

Agrochemicals used in conventional farming: a 2001 review study, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, shows that nutrient levels, including vitamin C, are lower in crops grown with chemical fertilisers. Organic spinach, lettuce, cabbage and potatoes showed relatively high levels. Commenting on this study one scientist explained: „Unlike minerals, vitamins and antioxidants are not supplied by the soil, so you cannot add them using fertilisers. They are produced by the plants themselves and are natural pest-defence compounds, part of a range of chemicals we are just beginning to understand. Studies have shown that levels are up to 40 per cent higher in organic produce. If you’re using artificial pesticides, plants don’t have to produce these protective chemicals. Levels in non-organic foods are likely to be lower.“ ( From The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2005/may/15/foodanddrink.shopping3)

Now let us see whether Homa Farming has a positive effect on the nutritional value also. Again we find a lot of information in the four M.Sc. theses done at Dharwad Agricultural University (Karnataka, South India). Homa Farming methods were compared with organic methods (without Homa) and with conventional farming methods. The crops planted were soy beans, cabbage, tomatoes, and okra. (Okra is also known as ladies’ fingers, a

vegetable quite popular in Asian and African countries.)

Results were as follows:

Soy beans

5% increase in protein content.

9,5% increase in oil content.

Enzymes

-Amylase was increased by 35% compared to control in unsprouted seeds. After germination this increase went up to 66%.

Invertase was increased by 45% compared to control in unsprouted seeds. After germination this increase went up to 100%.

Cabbage

TSS (Brix)  value in cabbage increased by 39% compared to control. „TSS“  means „Total soluble solids“. Brix is the unit (one degree Brix means 1% in the solution). Brix is an indicator for food quality: Higher Brix means higher nutrient density, better taste, resistance to disease – better quality. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was increased by 11%. Total free phenols (important for their antioxidant effects) were increased by 18%. Protein content increased by 16%. Nitrogen content increased by 19%, sulphur by 71% and potassium by 19%. Also micronutrients like Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe were increased between 4% and 13%.

Tomatoes

Increase in quality parameters like ascorbic acid (49%), lycopene (40%), phenols (7%) and TSS (10%) was found due to soil and foliar application of Homa.  Biosol as compared to organic control.

Okra

Increase in quality parameters of okra like ascorbic acid (0.5-34%), phenols (2-8%), nitrogen (3-28%), phosphorus (4-58%), potassium (45-98%), micronutrients like Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe (51-52%, 31-48%, 3-17% and 2-23%, respectively) was registered due to different homa treatments as compared to conventional control not exposed to homa atmosphere at crop harvest stage.

Vanilla

Another very interesting result was from Abhay Mutalik Desai who has his Homa Organic Farm near Belgaum (Karnataka, India). He grew vanilla, and before selling he gave samples of the vanilla to a lab for testing the vanillin content. The best commercial result is 25% to 28% vanillin by weight. But his result was 36% by weight. The lab people first thought they had made some mistake in the analysis as such a high value was not seen before, so they ran the test again – with the same result. This shows that in Homa Farming important nutritional parameters are increased, in some cases quite drastically. 

Homa Organic Farming products thus support our health as they supply us with all sorts of micronutrients which our bodies need (and often do not get). You could even say that Homa Farming food becomes a medicine.

 

Application of Agnihotra ash for enhancing soil fertility

Application of Agnihotra ash for enhancing soil fertility

Scientist

Application of Agnihotra ash for enhancing soil fertility

Chanda Berde,  Arvind Kulkarni, Arati Potphode, Anand Gaikwad and Snehalata Gaikwad
Department of Biological Sciences, Gogate Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri.The effect of addition of Agnihotra ash to farm soil was analysed. Four farm soil samples and one soil sample from newly purchased land were selected for the study. Initial microbial count was taken before addition of ash. Ash supplemented soil was analysed after incubation of one week. The microbial count of soil before and after ash addition was enumerated. A marked difference in the count was observed. Addition of ash results in increase in the overall bacterial flora, including the effective bacteria i.e nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers while reduction in the fungal flora was seen.

I.  INTRODUCTIONHoma or Yajnya is a pyramid fire technique passed down from the ancient Vedas. Yajnya means a process of removing the toxic conditions of the atmosphere through the agency of fire. The resultant purified atmosphere then has positive effects on man, plants and animals [1]. The ash produced by the fire is also accredited with having healing properties. The application of Agnihotra ash for healing purposes have been described (www.homahealth.com).  The ash when dissolved in water can be used as a spray on plants. The ash acts as a pesticide and fertiliser. It is also known to promote plant growth and reproduction. Furthermore, a stimulation of photosynthesis and plant respiration, which improves the entire oxygen cycle, is attributed to this atmosphere [1-5].

With regard to soil quality, an improved water holding capacity, an increase in amount and solubility (plant availability) of macro nutrients and trace elements and a stimulation of earth worm activity are postulated as a direct result of Homa treatment [1]. Studies on germination of rice seeds were done for three seasons, autumn, winter and summer. The four parameters i.e. root length, shoot length; fresh weight and dry weight were checked during the studies. The results showed that Agnihotra had a significant effect on the germination process [6]. The potential of Homa farming and Agnihotra ash in particular to improve the solubility and thus the plant availability of soil P was studied by Kratz and Schnug [7].

The effects of Agnihotra and its ash on the environment and plant growth were studied. The effects of Agnihotra fumes on microbial load, SOx and NOx levels in ambient air and plant growth were analysed. Experiments were also conducted to check the effects of Agnihotra ash on seed germination, plant growth, plant genotoxicity and water purification. A decrease in microbial count and SOx levels but slight increase in NOx levels in surrounding air was observed. There was significant increase in seed germination and plant growth as well as genotoxicity was neutralized due to Agnihotra ash [8]. In another study, seeds of Vigna aconitifolia and Vigna unguiculata were taken as experimental material. Agnihotra ash promoted the process of germination [9].

In the present study, the effect of Agnihotra ash on the effective and negative microbial flora of soil was analysed. This study supports the view that Agnihotra ash can be used in increasing the soil fertility.

II.   MATERIALS AND METHODS

Collection of soil samples – Farm soil was collected from 4 sites of Shri Chaitanya Mala (Dahagaon, Thane), a Homa organic farm.

i)                    Soil sample kitchen garden near slurry tank, Survey no. 46/6B
ii)                  Soil sample of Papaya farm Survey no.46/7
iii)                Soil sample of Mango farm Survey no. 46/7
iv)                Soil sample of Chikoo farm Survey no. 46/6B
v)                  Soil sample of newly purchased land Survey no. 46/5A

Preparation of soil suspension – 10 gms of soil sample was weighed and added to 100 ml of sterile distilled water. The flask was shaken well to mix the soil properly. The flask was left standing for 10 minutes. The settled clear suspension was then used for analysis.

Total viable count- Serial dilutions of the soil suspension were prepared using sterile saline. Dilutions were done upto 10 -4 . 0.1ml of the last three dilutions was spread plated on the nutrient agar plates. The plates were incubated and the number of colonies obtained was counted.

Fungal growth – To find the types of fungi present in the soil samples, 0.1 ml of the undiluted soil suspensions were plated on Sabauraud’s agar plates. The plates were incubated and the types of colonies obtained were observed.

Effective or positive bacterial flora – 0.1ml of 10 -4 was plated on Ashby’s medium for nitrogen fixers and on Pikovaskaya’s agar medium for phosphate solubilisers. The plates were incubated at room temperature and number of colonies obtained were counted.

Effect of Agnihotra ash on microbial composition of the soil – The soil samples were treated with Agnihotra ash at 1% concentration and allowed to stand for a week. Soil samples 2 and 4 were mixed together as the amount of soil for microbial and chemical analysis was less. Therefore, this sample is indicated as mixture. The microbial analysis was carried out as described above.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The count of the microorganisms in the soil samples and soil samples mixed with ash, was taken by inoculating the soil suspensions on nutrient rich media like Nutrient agar and Sabauraud’s agar media. Normal soil bacteria such as Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., Micrococcus sp. are usually found in soil.

Two of the effective bacteria were studied i.e nitrogen fixer and phosphate solubilisers. These were isolated on Ashby’s agar and Pikovaskaya’s agar. Nitrogen fixers include the genus Acetobacter sp, Azotobacter sp, etc while the phosphate solubilisers belong to genus Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., etc. The presence of effective bacteria in the soil that help in increasing the soil fertility by their activity were analysed. The groups analysed comprises of nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers.

Table 1. Viable count of flora of soil sample 1 on different media
T1

All bacteria grow on nutrient agar media as it is a rich in nutrients. The total count in the soil (sample 1) was 3.2 x 106 (Table 1). Amongst these bacteria, majority is of the nitrogen fixers as count obtained is 2.0 x 106 , followed by the phosphate solubilisers. Indicates that the soil is very fertile with high count of effective bacteria. In the total bacterial composition, the nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilising bacteria dominate. The fungi found in the soil are Aspergillus sp., Neurospora sp. and yeast. Normally found in soil and on fruits and vegetables.

In soil sample 2, the count of nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers is very high (Table 2). This indicates that the soil is very fertile with high count of effective bacteria. The fungal types encountered are yeast and Aspergillus sp. These are the normal cultures found in soil. A similar observation was seen in case of soil sample 3 (Table 3)

Table 2. Viable count of flora of soil sample 2 on different media
T2


Table 3. Viable count of flora of soil sample 3 on different media
T3

The analysis of soil sample 4 also showed result similar to soil samples 2 and 3. The count of nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers is very high (Table 4). This indicates that the soil is very fertile with high count of effective bacteria. In the total bacterial composition, the nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilising bacteria dominate. The fungal types encountered are yeast, Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus sp. These are the normal cultures found in soil and decaying plant material.

Table 4. Viable count of flora of soil sample 4 on different media
T4

In the total bacterial count of control soil, there was incidence of normal soil bacteria. The count of nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers is high. The fungal types encountered are yeast. These are the normal cultures found in soil and decaying plant material.

Table 5. Viable count of flora of soil sample 5 on different media
T5

 FIg.1
Fig. 1 Growth of bacterial cells obtained from soil on nutrient agar 

 Fig.2-3
        Fig. 2 Growth of bacterial cells obtained             Fig. 3 Growth of bacterial cells obtained
from soil on Ashby’s agar                                    from soil on Pikovaskaya’s agar

Fig.4
Fig. 4 Growth of fungal cultures obtained from soil on Sabauraud’s agar

Soil was supplemented with ash and incubated for a week. The microbial flora encountered was higher in numbers. The effects of addition of ash are seen very distinctly in the results depicted below.

Table 6. Viable count of flora of Soil sample 1 with ash on different media Media
T6

After addition of 1% Agnihotra ash, an overall increase in the bacterial count is observed from 3.2 x 106 to 5.9 x 107 , in case of soil sample 1. Among these, the nitrogen fixers and the phosphate solubilisers are major contributors and their number is also seen to increase significantly. The count of nitrogen fixer was seen to increase 100 fold while that of phosphate solubilisers was 1000 fold. Thus, after addition of Agnihotra ash, the soil fertility of sample 1, in terms of the nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers is found to increase immensely.

Another significant observation is the inhibition of fungal growth. No growth was observed on the Sabauraud’s media.

 Table 7. Viable count of flora of Soil sample 3 with ash on different media
T7

The observations for soil sample 3 after addition of Agnihotra ash were similar to the results obtained in case of soil sample 1, above. The count of phosphate solubilisers is found to increase greatly (Table 7). Growth of fungi is inhibited. Thus, after addition of Agnihotra ash, the soil fertility of sample 3, in terms of the nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers is found to increase.

Table 8. Viable count of flora of Soil mixture with ash on different media
T8

On comparing the results of soil sample 2 and 4 (before ash addition) to the mixture of the two soil samples (2 & 4), to which Agnihotra ash was added, increase in bacterial count is obtained (Table 8). As in the above cases, the count of phosphate solubilisers is seen to increase. Thus, after addition of Agnihotra ash, the soil fertility of mixture, in terms of the nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers is found to increase.

Table 9. Viable count of flora of soil sample 5 with ash on different media
T9

A 100- fold increase in the numbers of nitrogen fixers as well as phosphate solubilisers is observed. It was also observed that the pinpoint yellow coloured culture seen in untreated soil was reduced drastically. Secondly, the growth of fungi is inhibited. Thus, after addition of Agnihotra ash, the soil fertility of sample 5, in terms of the nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilisers is also found to increase.

Fig.5
Fig. 5. Microbial count of soil sample 1 before and after addition of Agnihotra ash

 Fig.6 copy
Fig. 6. Microbial count of soil sample 3 before and after addition of Agnihotra ash

 Fig.7
Fig. 7. Microbial count of soil sample 5 before and after addition of Agnihotra ash

Comparing the results of the three soil samples, it can be concluded that:

· Soil samples 1-4 showed good effective microbial composition, prior to addition of Agnihotra ash. This is indicative of good soil fertility, it being an organic farm.

· A further increase in nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilisers and overall bacterial count, after addition of Agnihotra ash, is seen in all soil samples.

· Addition of ash increases the phosphate solubilisers more than the nitrogen fixers.

· Thus, addition of Agnihotra ash to the soil positively increases the number of effective organisms while suppressing the fungal growth.

In all the sample, the ratio of positive to negative microorganisms is 100:0. i.e the soil contains 100 % positive or effective microorganisms upon treatment with Agnihotra ash.

V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are grateful to the Principal, Gogate Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri (Maharashtra State) for providing all the facilities.

VI. REFERENCES

[1] V .V. Paranjpe, “Homa Therapy – Our Last Chance”. Madison, VA : Fivefold Path, 1989.

[2] B. G. Bhujbal, “Agnihotra and grapes”, Zu finden in [zitiert am 11.07.2007], 1981.

[3] A. Mutalikdesai, “Agricultural experience with vanilla plants” Zu finden in [zitiert am 11.07.2007], 2000.

[4] U. Berk and S. Sharma, “Effect Of Agnihotra Energy Field On Water Purification,” Indian Journal Of Traditional Knowledge, vol. 1, pp. 63, 2015.

[5] D. Atul, J. P. Saini, R. Rameshwar, P. Sood, P. Punam and N. Sharma, “Organic farming in hill agriculture under the plan scheme niche area of excellence – experiment 5: impact of integrated organic crop management on productivity of medicinal plant based system.” Palampur : College of Agriculture, Half yearly Progress Rep, 2006.

[6] J. D. Heisnam, N. V. C. Swamy and H. R. Nagendra, “Effect Of Agnihotra On Germination Of Rice Seeds,” Indian J Traditional Knowledge, vol. 3, pp. 231, 2004.

[7] S. Kratz and E. Schnug, “Homa Farming – A Vedic Fire For Agriculture: Influence Of Agnihotra Ash On Water Solubility Of Soil P”, Landbauforschung Völkenrode, vol. 3, pp. 207, 2007.

[8] P. Abhang, M. Patil and P. Moghe, “Beneficial Effects Of Agnihotra On Environment and Agriculture”, International Journal Of Agricultura

[9] G. R. Pathade and P. Abhang, “Scientific Study Of Vedic Knowledge Agnihotra”, Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada, 43rd – 44th Issue, 2014.

For correspondence:
Dr. Chanda V. Berde
Department of Biological Sciences,
Gogate Jogalekar College,
Ratnagiri. Maharashtra, India. 415612

 

Homa Organic Soybean Study University of Dharwad

Homa Organic Soybean Study University of Dharwad

Scientist

Biochemical Efficacy of Homa Organic Farming in Soybean CropThe following experiments with Agnihotra and Homa Therapy were conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.

Published in Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 23 (5) : 2010 pp. 841-2A field experiment laid out in completely randomly block design with eight treatments exposed to Homa atmosphere replicated thrice was conducted during Kharif (monsoon) season 2009 to study the Biochemical efficacy of Homa Organic Farming in soybean crop (JS 335).

Above: Healthy soybean crop which showed increased nuturient content and higher yield

Conditions of Experiment:

The conventional control (CC) and control without Homa (CWH) were maintained 1 km away. Basal treatment to all the Homa treatment (HT) seeds was fresh cow dung and cow urine.

Agnihotra was performed at sunrise and sunset and Om Tryambakam Homa performed for 3-4 hours daily. The Agnihotra ash was used for seed treatment and for furrow application. Biosol, a special organic fertilizer prepared with Agnihotra ash, was used for soil and foliar application.

Table 1. Effect of Homa Organic Farming on Soybean Crop

Observations:

The Tryambakam Homa ash as seed treatment and foliar application of Biosol achieved superior plant height, dry matter accumulation of leaves, grain and straw yield and 100 seed weight.

The Agnihotra ash as seed treatment with Biosol as soil application was significantly superior over control in dry matter accumulation in stem, total biomass per plant, number of pods per plant, nodule count and nodule dry weight wherein Homa ashes and Biosol as furrow application increased nodule count by 55-105 per cent over CC and 106-180 per cent over CWH.

The macro and micro nutrients increased significantly in the soil with furrow application of both the Homa ashes and Biosol. Soil Zn content and dehydrogenase activity increased (151% and 233%, respectively) over control with soil application of Agnihotra ash and Biosol.

Rust incidence and insect attack was significantly low (10-30 %) with foliar application of Biosol. Total protein and oil content increased on HT and activities of -amylase and invertase in soy seeds on soil application of Biosol were superior.

Left: Root nodule formation of conventional Soyabean

Right: Well-developed root nodule on Homa plant

Conclusion:

Application of Homa Therapy farming techniques improved the following:

  • Root Nodule Count
  • Plant weight
  • Pod quantity
  • straw and grain yield 
  • Control of plant rust
  • control of pod borer and caterpillar 
  • increased nutrient and micronutrient levels
  • increased organic carbon
  • increased available phosphorus 

Thesis details:
KUMARI NAMRATA (Author)
M.Sc (Agri) (Degree)
Plant Biochemistry (Department)
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (Institute)
AC, Dharwad-580005 Karnataka State, India (Place)
2010 (Year of submitted)
Th10019 (Accession No)
University Library, UAS, Dharwad
Dr. P.W. BASARKAR (Major Advisor)

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Agnihotra Study

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Agnihotra Study

Scientist

Effect of Agnihotra on the Yield and Quality of Horticulture CropsHoma Organic Farming has a strong potential for increasing the yield and quality in plant production. It also seems to be capable of regulating insect infestation and fungal disease in crops in an ecologically sound manner. In addition, soil characteristics with significant effect on yield such as plant availability of nutrients appear to be improved by this technique.

Farming with Homa Therapy should be of particular interest for organic farmers, as it can be used as an extremely effective complementary method, together with regular organic farming practices.
EXPERIMENT OBJECTIVES:

To increase the yield and to improve the quality of Rose, Gerbera, Carnation, Potato, Cabbage under the organic farming system with Agnihotra. Trials were laid out in the farms of Institute of Commercial Horticulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India.

The experiments consisted of the following four treatments:

•T1 Organic farming system
•T2 Organic farming system + Agnihotra
•T3 Conventional
•T4 Absolute control

1.)  Trial with Rose Bush:

Table 1. Effect of Homa organic farming on growth and yield of Rose cv. Passion
Rose-tableRose-experiment

Left: A healthy Rose (var. passion) from T2 Organic farming with Agnihotra trial.  Right: A conventional Rose from T3 Conventional farming trial, showing signs of mold and powdery mildew on leaves.

Table 2. Effect of Homa organic farming on the incidence of Powdery mildew of Rose var. Passion
table2.JPG.jpg

Findings of Experiment:

  • Among the four treatments Organic farming with Agnihotra (T2) in Rose recorded higher performance for fresh flower total weight 21.34 (g), Stalk length 88.98(cm), Flower diameter 7.54 (cm), No. of flowers/plant/year 28.80, and higher shelf life of flowers 16 (days) (Table 1).
  • Organic farming with Agnihotra (T2) showed higher disease resistance in Rose

2.)  Trial with Carnation Flower:

Table 3. Effect of Agnihotra on growth and yield of Carnation var. Chipro
table3.JPG

carnation2.JPG
Above: Healthy Carnation flowers grown with T2 Organic Agnihotra Farming

Table 4. Effect of Agnihotra on the incidence of Fusarium wilt of Carnation var. Chipro
Carnation-tableAbove Right: Sickly roots on Carnation with Fusarium root rot on from T3 Conventional method

Findings of Experiment:

  • Organic farming with Agnihotra (T2) in Carnation recorded higher performance for Plant height 95.43 (cm), stalk length 93.24(cm), Flower diameter 7.76(cm), Number of flowers/plant/year 9.78, Shelf life 14.43(days) compared to other treatments (Table 3).
  • In Carnation, Organic farming with Agnihotra (T2) showed higher disease resistance (Table 4)

3.)  Trial with Gerbera Flower:

Table 5. Effect of Agnihotra on the growth and yield of Gerbera cv. Ruby Red
table5.JPGGerbera-DaiseyAbove:Remarkably healthy Gerbanas from T2 trial with Organic Agnihotra farming method. Virtually no sign of fusarium wilt on leaves.


Table 6. Effect of Agnihotra on the incidence of leaf spot and root rot of Gerbera cv. Ruby Red
Gerbera-wilt
Above Right: T3 Conventional Gerbena almost dead from fusarium wilt under same growing conditions

Findings of Experiment:

  • In Gerbera, Organic farming with Agnihotra (T2) recorded higher performance for ALL measurements (Table 5).
  • In Carnation, Organic farming with Agnihotra (T2) showed higher disease resistance (Table 6)


4.)  Trial with Cabbage Plant:

Table 7. Effect of Agnihotra on yield and the incidence of leaf spot disease in Cabbage variety Questo
table7.JPG
Cabbage-leaf-spot-mildewAbove left to right: Alternaria leaf spot on T3 Conventional cabbage plants; downy mildew on T3 cabbage plant

Homa-therapy-cabbageAbove: Healthy cabbage T3 Organic Agnihotra plant from the study, with no signs of leaf spot or mildew

Findings of Experiment:

  • With the Cabbage study, again T3 Agnihotra Organic farming performed the highest, with virtually no disease and highest yield.

CONCLUSION:
In every study, organic farming with Agnihotra had the highest performance in every category. The results conclusively show that Agnihotra is a highly effective method for producing healthy, organic food without the need of pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides.

The Effect of Energy Field of Agnihotra on Water Purification

The Effect of Energy Field of Agnihotra on Water Purification

Scientist

Dr Ulrich Berk from Germany has conducted several scientific experiments with Agnihotra.One experiment was conducted at the Homa Therapy Goshala in Maheshwar, MP, India in 2013. The experiment is important because it shows that there is an energy field around Agnihotra which causes the purification effect in water and this energy is not of the known electromagnetic type.
Agnihotra is a special fire performed exactly at the time of sunrise and sunset in a copper pyramid. It comes from ancient Vedic Knowledge. Agnihotra is said to purify the environment and especially it has been found to have profound impact in mitigating water pollution problem. The present study shows that water will be purified if it is kept in a room where Agnihotra is regularly performed. Water purification also happens if water bottles are kept inside a Faraday Cage in the Agnihotra room. These results suggest that Agnihotra creates an energy field beyond the electromagnetic field which has profound impact. Availability of potable drinking water is becoming increasingly a worldwide problem. Dumping of industrial wastes, radiation coming from the bowels of the earth and from a number of human activities, atmospheric pollution, all are affecting availability of water suitable for human consumption and for agricultural use. This, coupled with acid rains further aggravates the situation. Therefore, inexpensive and easily available methods of water purification are becoming more and more important. Some reports suggest that the ancient method of Agnihotra may offer a cheap and affordable solution.
Preliminary tests have shown that if Agnihotra ash is added to polluted water, it gets purified (Mondkar1, Gerlecka2, Matlander3). Further, Matlander showed that if you not only add Agnihotra ash to water but also keep the water in Agnihotra atmosphere (in a room where Agnihotra is performed regularly), the reduction of pathogenic bacteria is higher.
Sharma4 then went one step further and did not add Agnihotra ash but just kept water bottles next to a Somayag (a long lasting process of fire purification – but which is also based on the principles of Agnihotra). Observation was that also in this case water was purified. But since the bottles were open, a chemical effect of smoke particles cannot be excluded. Sharma5 also showed that Agnihotra atmosphere not just locally purifies water but leads to the purification of a whole river in its vicinity. The object of the present experiment was to see whether just Agnihotra atmosphere without any effect of Agnihotra ash or Agnihotra smoke would be able to improve water quality (Agnihotra atmosphere has been reported to have a positive effect on the sprouting of seeds, see Devi/Swamy/Nagendra6).
A first test showed that after a period of 5 days the count of Coliform bacteria was reduced by more than 50% compared to control (same water kept in the laboratory during these 5 days).
As any chemical reaction with either ash or smoke of Agnihotra was excluded the effect could only be in terms of physics. This leads to the assumption that regular performance of Agnihotra creates some kind of energy field which helps to purify water. But which kind of energy field could this be?
In every day life the most common energy fields are electromagnetic fields. Could it be that electromagnetic fields lead to the purification effect of Agnihotra on water?
In order to find out whether electromagnetic fields generated by Agnihotra are responsible for the improvement of water quality the following systematic studies were designed. It is well known that Faraday Cages shield electromagnetic waves. Therefore, if the effects of Agnihotra on water are (partly) based on some electromagnetic waves, then there would be no (less) change in the parameters of water quality if this water is kept in such Faraday Cages. This was to be tested.
Materials and methods
1) Agnihotra Agnihotra is the smallest and basic Homa healing fire which is performed in a copper pyramid of fixed size and shape, tuned to the biorhythm of sunrise/sunset. It comes from the ancient most Vedic Sciences of Bioenergy, Medicine, Agriculture and Climate Engineering. This knowledge has been revived by Shree Gajanan Maharaj from Akkalkot, Maharashtra last century and taught worldwide by his disciple Shree Vasant Paranjpe7. A compilation of recent research on Agnihotra and Homa Therapy is given in Berk/Johnson 20098
In this ancient tradition sunrise is described as follows:
“At sunrise the many fires, electricities, ethers and more subtle energies emanating from the sun extend all the way to the Earth and produce a flood effect at those coordinates where the sun is said to rise. It is awesome. The flood enlivens and purifies everything in its path, destroying what is impure in its wake. This torrent of life-sustaining energies causes all life to rejoice. At sunrise that music can be heard. The morning Agnihotra Mantra is the essence of that music. It is the quintessential sound of that flood. At sunset the flood recedes” (Paranjpe 1989).
1) The materials used for present study consist of following: A pyramid shaped copper container, 14.5 cm x 14.5 cm at the top, 5.25 x5.25 cm at the bottom and 6.5 cm in height.
2) Fire prepared with cow dung patties duly smeared with cow’s ghee and its offering to fire along with chanting following Agnihotra Mantras. At sunrise: Sooryáya swáhá, sooryáya idam na mama prajápataye swáhá, prajápataye idam na mama At sunset: Agnaye swáhá, agnaye idam na mama prajápataye swáhá,prajápataye idam na mama
2) Conducting the experiment
For the experiment water was taken with a bucket from the Narmada River in Mandleshwar, Madhya Pradesh, India (22° 10′ 29” North, 75° 39′ 59” East). The water was stirred and then distributed into glass bottles for experimentation.
Three bottles for control were immediately brought to the laboratory of Shri Umia College, Mandleshwar, MP (first two replications) and of AIMS College, Dhamnod, MP (third replication plus several control experiments). The measurements took place between October 2012 and February 2014.
Seventeen bottles were brought to the Homa Therapy Goshala in Maheshwar, MP. Three each of the bottles filled with water were put in containers made of stainless steel, copper and aluminum, respectively. Care was taken that there was no direct contact between the bottles and the metal containers. At the bottom of the metal containers a piece of dried cow dung was placed and at the sides a distance of one cm was kept. Then, the metal containers were closed with a tightly fitting lid in order to get Faraday Cages.
In addition to these 9 water bottles enclosed in metal containers for comparison, also 8 bottles without metal containers (filled with the same water from Narmada River) were used.
All these bottles were placed in the Agnihotra hut at Maheshwar Homa Therapy Goshala where Agnihotra has been performed regularly exactly at sunrise and sunset. No other activities are going on in this Agnihotra hut, and no words other than mantras related to Agnihotra are spoken there.
Figs. 1 & 2 show both shielded and unshielded bottles in the Agnihotra hut, and Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of all water bottles for the experiment.
                       Fig. 1 – Left side: Water bottles in metal              Fig. 2 – Right side: Unshielded bottles containers

Fig. 3 – Array of shielded and unshielded bottles. One circle – unshielded bottle. Two circles – shielded bottle, metal is indicated

Agnihotra is performed in the left-hand pyramid. The temperature in the Agnihotra hut (where the experimental samples were kept) and the office room of the laboratory (where the control samples were kept) showed only minor differences.
After 5 days all water samples were taken out from the Agnihotra hut and brought to the laboratory for testing. These samples plus those kept there for control were examined for the most important physico-chemical parameters of water: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), hardness, and count of Coliform bacteria.
Physico-chemical parameters of water were determined as per standard methods of APHA9 and Welch10
Parameters like temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and turbidity were determined at the site, while other parameters like Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), chloride, phosphate, nitrate, alkalinity, free CO2, total solids were determined in the laboratory.
The tests were conducted according to single blind protocol: To prevent bias in the results all bottles were marked with numbers only before testing in the laboratory.
Results and discussion
The experiment was done with three replications. All showed considerable improvements in water quality compared to control in all the five parameters tested. Table 1 shows the results in detail, Table 2 shows the percentage changes as compared to control.
Fig. 4 is a graphical representation comparing properties of all the water samples kept in Agnihotra atmosphere versus control. There was a general improvement of water quality in all the parameters measured as compared to control. These changes are consistent through all three replications.
Although there was some difference between the water samples kept in metal containers and the samples kept in bottles regarding DO, pH, and COD, this difference was rather small compared to the difference with control (Fig. 5).
Also, there were some differences between the different kinds of metal containers – but again these differences were small compared to the difference with control. Further, experiments could look deeper into these differences.
The main results with all three replications and all parameters of water quality are that:
a) Agnihotra atmosphere helps to purify water.
b) This effect of purification is there whether or not the water samples are kept in Faraday Cages.
The conclusion seems natural that there is some kind of energy field around Agnihotra which is not of the known electromagnetic type and which is not shielded by Faraday Cages. If someone has some alternative explanation it would be interesting to hear about that.
More detailed discussion
The biggest variation between the samples kept in bottles inside the 3 different metal containers was in Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Water kept in stainless steel showed much pronounced effect, while impact was least in water kept in aluminum container.
Also, there was some difference between the samples just kept in bottles and the samples where the bottles where kept in these metal containers acting as Faraday Cages: samples in Faraday Cages showed less improvement. One possible explanation for that result could be related to temperature. It is known that DO is affected much by the prevailing temperature. Temperature in the Agnihotra hut was measured before/after Agnihotra (at a distance of appr. 50 cm from the fire). Normally the temperature went up by 10 C after Agnihotra and came down to the value before Agnihotra within 20 or 30 minutes. Probably this small change of temperature which also lasted for a short time band can be neglected.
Possible that metal containers absorb the infrared radiations from the Agnihotra fire and store the heat for longer time so that inside the containers the temperature is increased for longer time than outside. But then one would expect the samples in the containers next to the Agnihotra fire to have least Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and those furthest away the highest level of DO. The data are not conclusive in this respect. Still, this hypothesis can be tested in future experiments by putting some temperature sensor inside the metal containers.
The main result though is not affected by these variations between the three replications and between the bottles in different materials used for shielding – the significant improvement of water quality of all parameters which were measured if the water is kept in Agnihotra atmosphere.
Containers of metals like copper, steel, or aluminum work well as a Faraday Cage to shield electromagnetic waves of a wide range. But if you go to the end of very high energy radiation (like gamma rays), these containers used cannot prevent rays from penetrating inside. For further studies, it is suggested to do an experiment in which a container of lead is used instead. One centimetre of wall thickness should be enough to at least make a difference in the effect on water. The present study showed some interesting observations in mitigating water pollution problem. Considering importance further systematic research studies are suggested. The experimental design can be modified in different directions:
a) Have samples at different distances from the Agnihotra pyramid (The distances inside the Agnihotra hut varied from 50 cm to approximately 3 m – this did not have a clear effect on the results). Samples could be placed outside the Agnihotra hut at different distances. This would also help to see whether the effects of Agnihotra energy field inside and outside of the Agnihotra hut are same at same distance or not.
b) Put the samples in a room where Agnihotra has never been performed before and will be just performed for the 5 days of the experiment. This would help to find out whether the energy field is building up over a period of time.
Possible also to put the samples in an Agnihotra hut with continuous Agnihotra for several years-but not perform Agnihotra during the time of the experiment and see whether the energy field of Agnihotra is still present after some time of nonperformance.
c) Keep the samples one day only, two days, etc. to see how fast these changes in water quality happen – and also continue for say 30 days to see whether the improvement continues or stops at some point. Most interesting though is the question: which kind of energy field is created by Agnihotra and how this type of energy field brings about the changes in water quality (assuming the possibility of high energy electromagnetic waves which can not be shielded by the type of Faraday Cage used can be excluded).
Table 2 – Percentage changes as compared to control
Fig. 4 – Comparison of properties of water kept in Agnihotra atmosphere versus control (%)
Fig. 5 – Comparison of properties of water kept in Agnihotra atmosphere (in unshielded bottles and bottles with shields from different materials) versus control (%)
For future studies, two hypotheses are suggested:
1)    There are microorganisms in polluted water which are activated by Agnihotra energy field and thus help to improve properties of water.
2)    Agnihotra creates an energy field in the vicinity which is not confined to electromagnetic fields. The first hypothesis requires further studies in the field of Microbiology, identifying microorganisms which can help improve water quality and examine closely how their activity is influenced by Agnihotra atmosphere.
The second hypothesis puts a challenge for physicists. The pyramid shape of the Agnihotra vessel probably plays some role – not much researched yet, but there are some preliminary studies in this field11.
An important study would be: which kind of energy field could this be? One possibility is “Prana” energy – but then this concept of “Prana” has to be translated into the language of modern science, and especially methods of measuring Prana energy will be required12.
A lot of interesting further studies are necessary, and these could help to get a better understanding of such basic Vedic concepts as “Prana” in terms of modern Science. All scientists from different disciplines are invited to join forces!
References
1 Mondkar A, Agnihotra and Microbes, A Laboratory Experience, Satsang, 9 (20) (1982) 2-7.
2 Gerlecka E, Observations with Agnihotra Ash and Water, Satsang, 16 (1-3) (1988) 11.
3 Matlander J, Study of the Effect of Agnihotra Ash on Pathogenic Bacteria, Unpublished Paper, 2013.
4 Sharma S, Water Quality Purification Through Homa Therapy, will be published in 2014.
5 Sharma S, Sengupta T & Kapil S, Somayag Influences on Different Parameters of Narmada River, Indian Res Comm, 5(1) (2011) 55-56.
6 Devi HJ, Swamy NVC & Nagendra HR, Effect of Agnihotra on the germination of rice seeds, Indian J Tradit Knowle, 3(3) (2004) 231-239.
7 Paranjpe VV, Homa Therapy – Our Last Chance, (Fivefold Path Inc., Madison, VA, USA), 1989.
8 Berk U & Johnson B, Bringing Homa Farming into the Mainstream of Indian Agricultural System, (Fivefold Path Publications, Dhule), 2009.
9 APHA (American Public Health Association): Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st edn, American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation, Washington, D.C 2002.
10 Welch PS, Limnological methods, (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York), 1998.
11 Itagi RK, Swamy NVC & Nagendra HR, Effect of Pyramids on Microorganisms, Indian J Tradit Knowle, 4(4) (2005) 373-379. 12 Recently there are different methods which seem to do that – like PIP (Polycontrast Interference Photography), GDV (Gas Discharge Visualization technique, developed by K. Korotkov on the basis of Kirlian photography), and Life Energy Meter measurements.
More research with these methods is planned for the future.
Agnihotra and Radioactivity

Agnihotra and Radioactivity

Scientist

 One Eastern European scientist said:
“Normally scientists will not understand easily how radioactivity can be neutralised by doing AGNIHOTRA. They always think of burning something as a chemical process only. But if it is only a chemical process then the nuclei of the atoms would not be changed. And therefore radioactivity could not be affected at all.But in the last few years there were some articles on so-called ‘Cold Fusion’ where under quite normal conditions in laboratories, atoms were fused. Most scientists do not believe that this is possible. However, these reports were correct. In the Agnihotra process there is also something like cold fusion. This explains how radioactivity can be eliminated. The brainwaves of a person sitting near Agnihotra have an impact on the flame. If you measure the frequencies of the flame by some optical methods we could get something like EEG without even touching that person.”

AGNIHOTRA ASH AND RADIOACTIVITY

After the Chernobyl nuclear accident, a meeting was held in Munich, between scientists of former Soviet Union and what was then West Germany. The presentation was made by Soviet scientists.

Some of the things discussed were as follows:
We have confirmed that the Agnihotra ash is the only absolutely pure substance which can work directly against radioactivity. It is working on a very simple principle. Our body is not able to recognize different elements like for example atoms of iron, and even less if they are radioactive or not. For example I eat an iron atom with my food and my body is not able to recognize it. When my body is filled with non-radioactive elements, then all that is coming in from any radioactive element will be thrown out; that is the principle of metabolism. Be it caesium, iron or any other element. We need caesium every day, iodine too, but when I take this same non-radioactive elements before, through the intake of Agnihotra ash, radioactive elements will not stay in the body; they come in and go out again! That means that from the Agnihotra ash we can make tablets and they act against radioactivity! Each scientist must say yes to this possibility!

But the cow dung, the ghee, the rice, all the substances used for Agnihotra process should not be radioactive. I know that in India and in Australia these substances are not polluted. We should start to produce Agnihotra ash tablets, either in India or in Europe, but with non-radioactive substances. This must be done in mass scale! I’m sorry to say that we shall start this as a “business”, but is for helping humanity! Chernobyl was very dangerous, but today it’s even more dangerous. Before the radioactive elements were in the air – now they are in the soil…. Europe is suffering! Children don’t have enough non-radioactive elements. Of course the TVs, newspapers and radios don’t speak about the real situation, but the scientists and experts know that it’s very dangerous. Every day becomes more and more difficult. Again I say that we must produce Agnihotra ash tablets!

In the Agnihotra ash there are 92 elements! We have to check the elements that are in the ash. Then we have to know how is the quality and the amount of each of these elements within the ash and how much Agnihotra ash a man needs for his daily dose. The main point is, that the elements of Agnihotra ash have not become radioactive. All medical medicine, every tablet, vitamin, etc. are radioactive, especially in Europe. So the two important points are, that Agnihotra ash contains more elements than any tablet known up to now and secondly, the conventional tablets are radioactive and Agnihotra ash is not radioactive! An example: the cow takes 92 elements when she eats grass and during the whole cycle 92 elements go out daily. So 92 elements go in, 92 go out and within the cow there also remain 92 elements all the time. That is the cycle. The same happens with every animal. It is only a difference in the concentration of the elements. Cows, men and goats have quite a similar concentration of these elements. When we take the product of a cow, what comes out has all the 92 elements! A cow is like a factory producing ghee and cowdung! Ghee has about 90% carbon. It is very rare, to find such an amount of carbon in any substance. The analysis of the Agnihotra ash will show if there is some radioactive carbon in the ghee. After the burning of the ghee it is not an organic material anymore. It becomes again a mineral substance. The mineral is again prepared to be returned to the earth. The burning process can take place by Agnihotra. The input and output weight are the same. Both cannot undergo any change. The atomic weight of the carbon is 6, and it does not change. You can burn it, you can feed a cow with it, or give it to a person, it always has the same weight. Here the scientists think in a different way. They think it is not the same if carbon is going through a man’s or a cow’s body, the weight remains the same, but within the carbon there are some subatomic particles. The physicist has found – beside protons, neutrons and electrons – about 2223 subatomic particles, but science does not know what to do with them. Why they are like that, nobody knows.

Dr Miroslav Haber on Radioactivity

In physiological terms the body constantly exchanges all its elements (not cells). There are only some exceptions, like the lenses of the eyes and some parts of the nervous system. The mechanism of this exchange of elements in the body is not exactly known. For this exchange the body constantly needs elements like calcium, copper, iron etc. As long as these elements are not radioactive the body functions normally. Our body can deal well with the natural radioactivity which has been existing since millions of years on this planet. However, since the Chernobyl accident we are dealing with a much increased manmade radioactivity. Many radioactive elements like Caesium, Iodine, Iron, etc. have fallen onto this earth. The half-life period of these isotopes is rather high for some of them. They went from the air into the earth, from there into our food – salads vegetables, fruits. Through our food we absorb radioactive elements. This is because our body cannot distinguish whether an element is radioactive or not, and thus it absorbs the element without selection. Once a radioactive element is stored in the body it radiates all the time (like a lighthouse) and destroys the cells in its surroundings. The body reacts with an infection (with luck the radioactive element is thereby thrown out of the body) or it reacts by forming a tumor, a cancer.

How can we avoid the absorption of radioactive elements into our body? The answer is simple – we have to give the body each element in a natural (non-radioactive) form. Once the body is saturated with these elements, any radioactive versions of these elements thereafter are not absorbed by the body any longer. It very quickly gets rid of them. The newly absorbed non-radioactive elements will by and by replace the radioactive substances which we had absorbed in earlier time and which our body had stored.

Now where do we get these non-radioactive elements from in order to protect our body? The experiment that was conducted some time ago has shown that the Agnihotra ash (which at the time was produced by about 40 participants according to special directions of Dr Haber) was not radioactive, even though the ingredients were radioactive. (Till now we do not have an explanation of how this is possible – but the measurements of this effect were very clear.)

How this mechanism of changing radioactive elements into non-radioactive elements works we do not yet understand. It cannot be explained neither by modern chemistry nor by physics. But the result has been tested several times with always the same outcome: The Agnihotra ash just had natural radioactivity.

Also the Agnihotra ash contains all the 92 natural chemical elements. In this way the body’s total requirement can be covered. Therefore it is suggested to everybody to eat say a teaspoon of Agnihotra ash before every meal. Most important is in the morning. An easier way would be to make tablets from the ash which can easily be taken (as people are used to take tablets). Dr Haber stated that it will be necessary to produce big quantities of Agnihotra ash, he said: “in barrels”.

But also plants should get Agnihotra ash because they face the same problem of radioactivity.