Natural Farming Inputs
Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)
MAKING FERMENTED PLANT JUICE (FPJ)
FPJ is a fermented extract of a plant’s sap and chlorophyll's. It is a rich enzyme solution full of microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria and yeast that invigorates plants and animals. FPJ is used for crop treatments.
Materials/ ingredients needed:
Mugwart / Water amaranth / Bamboo shoot etc.
Jaggery / Brown sugar
Clay jar / glass jar
Porous paper (paper towel)
Rubber band / thread
WHAT TYPE OF PLANTS TO COLLECT
Plants that are strong against cold and can grow well in
spring. This is in order to pass down the characteristic of plants that can endure extreme
climatic
changes.
Plants that grow fast and are vigorous. Fast developing
plants have growth hormones that are very active. This characteristic can improve any plant
weaknesses
and
the recovery of certain health problems of the plants.
Fast-growing and vigorous plants. For example, Bamboo
shoots and lateral buds of all kinds of plants have abundant growth hormone and vitality.
Thinned-out fruits have a lot of gibberellins which makes
plants healthy with thicker foliage and enhances the thickness of fruit.
WHEN TO COLLECT
Avoid days when there is excessive sunshine or rainfall.
Excessive sunshine may evaporate nutrients. Too much rainfall may wash away important nutrients
and
microorganisms. When there is rain, collect only after two days.
Collect the ingredients just before sunrise. Plants have
perfect moisture level during this time.
HOW TO MAKE FPJ
Shake off dirt from the Plants but do not wash in water. Washing will remove useful
microorganisms. If
the
ingredients are too big, cut them to adequate sizes, about 3 to 5 cm. This increases contact
surface
area
and promotes osmotic pressure. (Do not mix different kinds of ingredients in one container. Use
separate
container for each ingredient.)
Measure the weight of the ingredient and the weight of brown sugar. Brown sugar should be
between half
of
the weight of the ingredient. You should add or subtract sugar according to plant’s moisture
level.
Put the ingredients and brown sugar in a large wide container and mix them with your hands.
Cover with
porous paper and leave for 1 to 2 hours.
Put the mixture into the clay pot. It should fill up ¾ of the jar. It is important that the jar
is not
too
full or under full. The empty space is not empty. It is filled with air, for optimum
fermentation to
occur.
Put weight (Stone) on the mixture to control the amount of air in it.
Put on the cover and tie the jar. A cover is needed to prevent
insects from getting into the mixture. Paper is ideal because it lets the air in and out.
Remove the weight after 1 or 2 days. After the air has escaped, put back the cover again.
Put the jar in a cool and shaded place. Do not open, move or stir the ingredients during the
process of
fermentation.
WHEN TO USE FPJ
Germination to early vegetative growth: Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris, Mosapatri in Telugu), and
bamboo
shoot
FPJs are suitable at this stage to help crops become resistant against cold and grow fast and
strong.
FPJs
should be used at lower concentration during this stage, preferably at a dilution of 1:1000.
Vegetative growth: Arrowroot and Bamboo shoot FPJs, as well as Reeds (water or marsh plants with
a firm
stem), help crops obtain their needed nitrogen to increase in volume. At this stage, FPJs can be
used at
a
general dilution of 1:800 to 1:1000.
Presence of pests: FPJ can be used to keep pests away from fruits. Amixture of FPJ and rice bran
can be
sprinkled on the area around fruit trees to lure pests to the ground, thus preventing them from
going to
the
fruits.
WHEN NOT TO USE FPJ
During excessive vegetative growth or overgrowth due to prolonged rains or cloudy weather.
FPJ made from the crop itself should not be used as this will promote further growth.
During acidic or nitrogen-excessive crop conditions, which create a pest-attractive environment.
Conditions of too much moisture or of bad ventilation, which promotes fungal growth.
HOW TO USE FPJ
FPJs are normally used at a dilution rate of 1: 800 to 1000 in water. When FPJ is used with other NF inputs, more water should be added to the solution. FPJ from the same crops to get better results:
Tomato, (Chilli, brinjal, etc,). lateral buds of stems and leaves for tomato plants.
Squash and sweet potato- vines for same crops.
Pinched shoots of plants (not contaminated by chemicals).
HOW TO STORE / PRESERVE FPJ
Polyethylene or glass products or clay jar may be used as a container. When using glass bottles,
brown
glass
containers must be preferred.
Store in a cool place. Select a shaded area where there is no direct sunlight and where the
temperature
does
not fluctuate. Direct sunlight should be avoided.
The optimum temperature range is 1 to15ºC for storage (Use a Refrigerator if available) if you
want
to
keep
for one year. Otherwise one can use within 30 days store at room temperature.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
It is not recommendable to use molasses as it contains too much moisture to raise the osmotic
pressure
as
high as brown sugar does for good fermentation.
Sometimes small bubbles or fungi will be present in the Jar. They result from lacking brown
sugar or
from an
unbalanced volume between the empty space and the ingredient. In this case, add a little brown
sugar,
stir
and preserve after filtering.
Avoid excessive sunshine (heat). Avoid sunlight for picking plants. If the hot weather
continues,
but
FPJ
production must continue, then water the plant one day before picking the plants / leaves before
sunrise.
Avoid excessive rainfall (rainy season). Avoid picking plants during or after rainfall because
rain
washes
away lactic acid bacteria and yeast on the leaves. If FPJ is made during this time, the juice
can
become
sticky and thick, and won’t ferment well. This is the same reason why the ingredients should not
be
washed
before fermentation. It is advised to pick plants 2 to 3 days after rain.
Avoid picking plants near the road side to prevent the polluted plants.
