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NEED OF GREEN MANURING Green manuring is practiced in different ways
depending upon the climatic conditions and soil
Every farmer knows how much work goes into the
production of compost and carrying it to the fields. of the area. Green manuring practices can be
Apart from the labour involved this increases considered of two types depending on the basis
the cost too. Sometimes, it seems that the farm of how biomass is added to the soil.
production never gives an equal return for the 1. In-situ green manuring
hard work that goes into making and carrying
the compost. Green manures are a method of Green manuring crops may be the plants of
replacing that basket of compost with a handful leguminous crops such as pigeon pea (Cajanus
of seed. Therefore, the plants that grow from cajan), green gram (Vigna radiata), soybean
the handful of seed are ploughed back into the (Glycine max), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
soil. After a while, the plants rot down to become or groundnut (Arachis hypogea), cluster
compost in the soil. The decomposition of plants bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba); non-grain
increases the organic matter (OM) of the soil. leguminous crops like sunn hemp (Crotalaria
Organic carbon present in the soil enhances the juncea), dhaincha (Sesbania species, S.
dynamics of microbial action and improves soil aculeata), wild indigo (Tephrosia purpurea),
fertility. Green manuring has a versatile impact black henna (Indigofera tinctoria), Berseem
thus is ideal for this purpose. It is a very good way (Trifolium alexandrinum), broadbean (Vicia faba),
of increasing the fertility of the soil, and provides white lupin (Lupinus albus), blue lupin (Lupinus
huge benefits for farmers. Green manure crops angustifoilus), yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus),
are primarily used to promote environmentally common vetch (Vicia sativa), fenugreek (Trigonella
friendly agricultural practices which reduces the foenumgraecum), candied clover (Melilotus
application of chemical fertilizer and herbicide. spp.), lucerne or alfalfa (Medicago sativa),
subclover (Trifolium subterraneum), strawberry
CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF GREEN clover (T. fragiferum), Persian clover (Trifolium
MANURE CROPS resupinatum), red clover (Trifolium pratense),
The criteria for selection of a green manure crop white clover (Trifolium repens), Stylosanthes and
are as follows: Desmodium. Mainly leguminous plants are grown
in the fields which fixes atmospheric nitrogen and
• Fast growing and produces abundant and also adds organic matter in the main field. Non-
succulent foliage.
leguminous crops and forages like agricultural
• Well adapted to the local climatic conditions.
• They have high rate of nitrogen fixation.

• They have high water-use efficiency when
used in drier regions.
• They should be easily sown and managed.

• They should have good shading effect and
should be able to suppress weeds.
• Should have low management costs.
• Avoid proliferation of pests and diseases.

• Have a high decomposition rate.
• Don't compete with crops or have allelopathic
effect on the succeeding crop.

TYPES OF GREEN MANURING