History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s5.2

v1.c24.s5.2

The Arthaśāstra (VII. 11.9) observes that the qualities of land (bhūmi) can be contrived (kṛtrima). The expression (kṣetra-śodha occurring in the Rāmāyaṇa (I.66.13-14) means improving the field and implies the use of fertilisers. The Kṛṣi-Parāśara (verse 111) recognises the importance of manure for crops and says that without manure the paddy simply grows up, but does not yield any fruit. We cannot determine the stages through which the knowledge and use of manures originated and grew.