Introduction

Introduction

    Green manuring is the practice of incorporating green plant tissues into the soil for improving the soil productivity. It is a low cost but effective technology in minimizing the investment cost of fertilizers and in safeguarding the productive capacity of the soil.

    Criteria for selection of green manure crops
    1. The green manure crops must develop good foliage and rapid growth.
    2. They should have deep root system.
    3. They should be able to grow well on poor soils.
    4. Water requirement of green manure crops should be less.
    5. Must have legumes to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
    6. Should be of short duration.
    7. Should be succulent, non-fibrous and non-woody in nature.

    Benefits of green manuring
    1. Adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
    2. Improves physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil.
    3. Serves as source of food and energy for the soil microbial population which multiplies rapidly in the presence of easily decomposable organic matter.
    4. The enhanced activities of soil organisms not only cause rapid decomposition of the green manure but also result in the release of plant nutrients in available forms for use by the crops.
    5. Promotes formation of crumbs leading to better aeration and drainage in the soils.
    6. Builds up soil structure and improves tilth.
    7. Improves water holding capacity of soils.
    8. If green manure crop is a legume, it adds lot of nitrogen to the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
    9. Uptake plant nutrients from the lower layers and adds them in the surface soil when turned under.
    10. Green manure crops act as cover crop and reduce the soil temperature and protect the soil from erosion, crust formation and suppress the growth of weeds.
    11. Help in conserving nutrients by taking up soluble nutrients which might otherwise been lost due to leaching or erosion.
    12. Prevent leaching of nutrients to lower layers.
    13. Helps in reclaiming the saline and alkali soils.
    14. Many green manure crops have additional use as sources of food, feed and fuel.
    15. They increase the yield of crops.


Last modified: Thursday, 5 January 2012, 9:48 AM