MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials: Hybrid cucumber seeds malini from seminis, monsanto were procured from the market. The cucumber seeds, land and seedlings were given pranic treatment for 5 min totalling to 50 min for the whole study, while the remaining seeds, land and seedling which did not receive any pranic treatment were referred to as control. Cultivation of cucumber was subjected to conventional agriculture practice. The experimental design adopted in this study consisted of two similar experimental plots. Half acre of agricultural land for pranic and control groups was allotted. Each group has 20 rows, 60 plants in each row, totalling to 1200 plants in each group. The study was conducted at Jayapura, H.D. Kote Road, Mysore District, India. Overall plant length, stem diameter and total fruit yield were assessed during the study.

The plant length was measured using scale, stem diameter was measured using vernier calipers and total fruit yield was measured using weighing scale. The data collected have been analyzed using contingency coefficient analysis and the results obtained have been tabulated and interpreted using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect of pranic treatment on plant length: As far as the length of plant was considered (Table 1), repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant difference from visit 1-7 (F = 56.355; p<0.001). Further, when group-wise length was verified, pranic treated group obtained a length of 28.77 inches compared to control group which had a length of only 14.60 inches. It was clear that plants which received pranic treatment had 97% more plant length than control group.

Effect of pranic treatment on stem diameter: Repeated measure ANOVA discovered a significant difference from visit 1-7, where (F = 11.888; p<0.001), pranic treated plant had a diameter of 7.45 mm and control group had 5.65 mm at visit 7 (Table 2). It was clear that plants which were given pranic treatment had significantly more diameter (31.72%) than control group.

Effect of pranic treatment on overall fruit yield: As far as the yield is considered (Table 3), repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant difference from visit 08-13 (F = 14.874; p<0.001). Further, when total yield was verified, pranic treated group obtained a yield of 63.84 kg compared to control group which yielded only 52.85 kg. It is clear that plants which received pranic treatment yielded significantly more with an increase of 20.77% as compared to control group. The reason behind such improvements in cucumber morphology is probably due to the fact that pranic treatment can alter the molecular structure of treated cells, affect nucleotide polymerization, gene expression and enzyme activity. It should also be noted that application of energy would help in increased rate of cellular growth and division. It also increases ATPase activity during seed germination of the dividing cells. These results in more energy supply to the cells during cell division, growth and differentiation probably resulting in enhanced growth of pranic treated cucumber⁴.

Table 1:	Mean values of cucumber plant length of pranic and control groups

Table 2:	Mean values of cucumber stem diameter of pranic and control groups

Table 3:	Mean values of overall yield of cucumber plant in pranic and control groups

CONCLUSION

Pranic agriculture played a significant role in enhancing morphology of cucumber plant. Pranic cucumber had an increase in plant length, stem diameter and fruit yield than control group. Further studies are in progress to determine the chemical constituents of both cucumber groups.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Acharya Daniel Gorgonia, Mr. Sriram Rajagopal of World Pranic Healing Foundation, India for encouragement and support. Mr. Papanna N.S. for the commitment in assisting during pranic healing sessions. All those who contributed to the present study directly and indirectly.