PRANIC AGRICULTURE AS A COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENT TO OVERCOME DROUGHT STRESS IN GREEN GRAM (Vigna radiata L.)-A PILOT STUDY

In the present global climate change scenario, drought stress is the major threat to agriculture productivity and yield. Water stress leads to physiological, biochemical and molecular changes in the plants. Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) contains 23% protein and is widely used as a protein source in the diet. Seed germination and early seedling stages are more susceptible stages for drought. Pranic agriculture (PA) is an ancient agriculture method where energy as prana is applied to the crop during stress to enhance yield. A pilot study was carried out by imposing stress at seedling stage by with-holding water for 6 days and then re-watered and kept for recovery. Pranic treatment was given to the seedlings at the time of stress. Pranic treated seedling showed significantly (p< .001) higher shoot length (20.68 cm), root length (7.87 cm), Root/ Shoot ratio (0.38) leaf area (6.73 cm2) and seedling fresh weight (0.51 g), when compared with the control (19.06, 5.06, 0.27, 3.15 and 0.40) respectively. Pranic treatment also showed in overcoming stress effect and recovery. Root growth and leaf area reduction were found to be beneficial to combat drought stress and recovery. Pranic treated seedling showed better plant growth, survival and recovery as compared to control seedlings. PA may help to over-come drought and other abiotic stress problems in agriculture. Further field investigations and exact stress management mechanism involved need to be studied.