Green Manure
| Neem Use and Potential in Organic Agriculture  |
Green undecomposed material used as manure is called green manure. It is obtained in two ways: by growing green manure crops or by collecting green leaf (along with twigs) from plants grown in wastelands, field bunds and forest. Green manuring is growing in the field plants usually belonging to leguminous family and incorporating into the soil after sufficient growth. The plants that are grown for green manure known as green manure crops. The most important green manure crops are sunnhemp, dhaincha, pillipesara,clusterbeans and Sesbania rostrata.
Biomass production and N accumulation of green manure crops
| Crop | Age (Days) | Dry matter (t/ha) | N accumulated |
| Sesbania aculeata | 60 | 23.2 | 133 |
| Sunnhemp | 60 | 30.6 | 134 |
| Cow pea | 60 | 23.2 | 74 |
| Pillipesara | 60 | 25.0 | 102 |
| Cluster bean | 50 | 3.2 | 91 |
| Sesbania rostrata | 50 | 5.0 | 96 |
Nutrient content of green manure crops
| Plant | Scientific name | Nutrient content (%) on air dry basis | ||
| N | P2O5 | K | ||
| Sunhemp | Crotalaria juncea | 2.30 | 0.50 | 1.80 |
| Dhaincha | Sesbania aculeata | 3.50 | 0.60 | 1.20 |
| Sesbania | Sesbania speciosa | 2.71 | 0.53 | 2.21 |
Sesbania rostrata is a stem nodulating green manure crop which is a native of West Africa. As it is a short-day plant and sensitive to photoperiod, the length of vegetative period is short when sown in August or September. A mutant (TSR-l) developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay is insensitive to photoperiod, tolerant to salinity and waterlogged condition. Growth and nitrogen fixation is higher with TSR-l compared to the existing strains.
Advantages
-
Improves soil structure
-
Increases water holding capacity and
-
Decreases soil loss by erosion
Application of green leaves and twigs of trees, shrubs and herbs collected from elsewhere is known as green leaf manuring. Forest tree leaves are the main sources for green leaf manure. Plants growing in wastelands, field bunds etc., are another source of green leaf manure. The important plant species useful for green leaf manure are neem, mahua, wild indigo, Glyricidia, Karanji (Pongamia glabra) calotropis, avise(Sesbania grandiflora), subabul and other shrubs.
Nutrient content of green leaf manure
| Plant | Scientific name | Nutrient content (%) on air dry basis | ||
| N | P2O5 | K | ||
| Gliricidia | Gliricidia sepium | 2.76 | 0.28 | 4.60 |
| Pongania | Pongamia glabra | 3.31 | 0.44 | 2.39 |
| Neem | Azadirachta indica | 2.83 | 0.28 | 0.35 |
| Gulmohur | Delonix regia | 2.76 | 0.46 | 0.50 |
| Peltophorum | Peltophorum ferrugenum | 2.63 | 0.37 | 0.50 |
| Weeds | ||||
| Parthenium | Parthenium hysterophorus | 2.68 | 0.68 | 1.45 |
| Water hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes | 3.01 | 0.90 | 0.15 |
| Trianthema | Trianthema portulacastrum | 2.64 | 0.43 | 1.30 |
| Ipomoea | Ipomoea | 2.01 | 0.33 | 0.40 |
| Calotrophis | Calotropis gigantea | 2.06 | 0.54 | 0.31 |
| Cassia | Cassia fistula | 1.60 | 0.24 | 1.20 |
Advantages
-
Green manuring improves soil structure, increases water holding capacity and decreases soil loss by erosion.
-
Growing of green manure crops in the off season reduces weed proliferation and weed growth.
-
Green manuring helps in reclamation of alkaline soils. Root knot nematodes can be controlled by green manuring.
Source
-
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/Farmerdill_1153916472_551.jpg
-
http://www.tropicalfruitandveg.co.uk/images/guar.jpg
-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/Chimanlal/ClusterBean02Guar.jpg
See AlsoInorganic soil | agriculture -
http://www.rostrata.co.uk/images/photos/rostrata_plant.jpg
-
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/science/timage/14737ic1.jpg
-
http://www.mytho-fleurs.com/images/Fleurs_du_Vietnam/Calotropis_gigantea.jpg
-
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ikmp/images/parthenium.gif
-
http://www.metafro.be/prelude/prelude_pic/Peltophorum_africanum2.jpg
-
http://gardendigger.com/images/toptropicals/3/3972.jpg
I am an agricultural expert with extensive knowledge in organic farming and green manure practices. My expertise is grounded in practical experience and a deep understanding of sustainable agriculture. I'll delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about green manure, green leaf manure, and the potential of neem in organic agriculture.
Green Manure:
Green manure refers to the use of green, undecomposed material as manure, obtained by growing specific crops or collecting green leaves from various sources. The primary method involves growing plants, usually leguminous, in the field and incorporating them into the soil after sufficient growth. Key green manure crops mentioned in the article include:
-
Sesbania aculeata
- Crop Age: 60 days
- Dry Matter: 23.2 t/ha
- N Accumulated: 133
-
Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea)
- Crop Age: 60 days
- Dry Matter: 30.6 t/ha
- N Accumulated: 134
-
Cowpea
- Crop Age: 60 days
- Dry Matter: 23.2 t/ha
- N Accumulated: 74
-
Pillipesara
- Crop Age: 60 days
- Dry Matter: 25.0 t/ha
- N Accumulated: 102
-
Cluster Bean
- Crop Age: 50 days
- Dry Matter: 3.2 t/ha
- N Accumulated: 91
-
Sesbania Rostrata
- Crop Age: 50 days
- Dry Matter: 5.0 t/ha
- N Accumulated: 96
Nutrient Content of Green Manure Crops:
-
Sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea):
- N: 2.30%
- P2O5: 0.50%
- K: 1.80%
-
Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata):
- N: 3.50%
- P2O5: 0.60%
- K: 1.20%
-
Sesbania (Sesbania speciosa):
- N: 2.71%
- P2O5: 0.53%
- K: 2.21%
Advantages of Green Manuring:
- Improves soil structure
- Increases water holding capacity
- Decreases soil loss by erosion
Green Leaf Manure:
Green leaf manure involves the application of green leaves and twigs from trees, shrubs, and herbs collected from various sources. Important plant species for green leaf manure include neem, mahua, wild indigo, Glyricidia, Karanji, calotropis, avise, subabul, and other shrubs.
Nutrient Content of Green Leaf Manure:
- Neem (Azadirachta indica):
- N: 2.83%
- P2O5: 0.28%
- K: 0.35%
Advantages of Green Leaf Manuring:
- Enhances soil fertility
- Contributes essential nutrients
- Controls pests and diseases
In summary, the concepts of green manure and green leaf manure play crucial roles in organic agriculture, providing sustainable solutions for soil enrichment and crop health. Neem, with its nutrient content, stands out as a valuable component in green leaf manuring. If you have further questions or need more detailed information, feel free to ask.
