Green Manure Crops: Boost Soil Fertility & Profit at Low Cost!

To increase production and protect crops from diseases and pests, chemical fertilizers and pesticides were used indiscriminately, which had a bad effect on the fertility of the soil. In such a situation, farmers are trying to increase the fertility of the soil by using green manure.

Green manure makes the soil more fertile by returning the depleted nutrients of the soil. When unrotten green plants are buried in the field to increase the amount of nitrogen or organic matter in the soil, this process is called green manure.

What is green manure?

Green manure not only provides nitrogen and organic matter to the soil, but it also provides many nutrients to the soil. The use of green manure makes the soil friable, air circulation is good, water retention capacity of the soil increases, acidity and soil erosion also decreases. The use of green manure increases the number and activity of microorganisms in the soil, which increases the fertility and production capacity of the soil. Its use reduces the use of chemical fertilizers, which also saves money for the farmers.

How many types of green manure are there?

First method – In this, green manure crops are grown in the field and buried in the soil. This method is suitable for those areas where there is proper irrigation system. In this method, to make green manure, the green manure crops are turned over and buried in the same field. Pulses and other crops are grown for green manure. Early maturing crops like sunn hemp, dhaincha, green gram, urad, cowpea etc. are sown for green manure. These crops are buried in the field as soon as they flower.

Second method- In this, leaves, bushes, branches and twigs of green manure crops from other fields are plucked and put in the field which needs green manure. It is used where there is less rainfall. Green manure is ploughed with a soil turning plough and buried in the soil.

Benefits of green manure

– It contains nitrogen and organic matter as well as other essential nutrients in abundance.

– The use of green manure increases the number and activity of microorganisms in the soil. Along with this, the fertility and production capacity of the soil also increases.

– It also reduces soil-borne diseases.

– Its use reduces the need to use chemical fertilizers, so that farmers can do sustainable farming.

Green manure crops

For green manure, leguminous crops like sunn hemp, dhaincha, cowpea, urad, moong, cluster bean etc. can be grown. These crops grow quickly and in less time, and their leaves are larger, heavier and more in number. They require less fertilizer and water, thus providing more organic matter at a lower cost.