TYPES OF GREEN LEAF MANURE

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GREEN LEAF MANURE CROPS :

There are different green leaf manure crops that can be cultivated and they are:  

1. COWPEA :  Cowpea is one of the important leguminous green leaf manure crops.  As this plant is easily decomposable and   very well suited for green manure purpose. June-July months are best suited for sowing of this manure. Even though it is being cultivated in summer months ( March to April). Use of effective Rhizobium  bacteria increase the fixation of nitrogen up to 40 kg/ha.  

2. DHAINCHA (SESBANIA ACULEATE) : Dhaincha is suitable for loamy and clayey soils. It is fairly resistant to drought as well as stagnation of water. It grows well even in alkaline soils and corrects alkalinity if grown repeatedly for 4-5 years. The roots have plenty of nodules. It yields about 10-15 tonnes of green manure per ha and requires a seed rate of 30-40 kg/ha. Use of effective Rhizobium strain with seeds fixes the Nitrogen 1 kg / day.  

3. SESBANIA SPECIOSA : It is a valuable green manure for wetlands and can be grown in a wide range of soils. Seed production is prolific  however, pods are frequently attacked by insects.  This green manure can be raised on the fieldborders. Sesbania seedling (21days) can be planted in a single line at 5-10 cm apart in the borders of the fields. In about 90 days it produces about 2-4 tonnes of green manure per ha. It does not affect the rice yield by shading or root effect.  If second rice crop is planted immediately after the first crop, the manure can be incorporated into the field. About 300-400g of seeds are sufficient to raise nursery and plant the seedlings around the boundary of one hectare. To control insects Verticillium lacanii ( Liquid ) fungi is useful. 

4. SUNNHEMP (CROTALARIA JUNCEA) : It is a quick growing green manure crop and gets ready for incorporation in about 45 days after sowing. It does not withstand heavy  irrigation leading to flooding.  The crop is at times subject to complete damage by leaf eating caterpillars. The crop can produce about 8-12 tonnes of green biomass per  ha. The seed requirement is 30 kg/ha. 

5. SESBANIA ROSTRATA : One of the important  features of this green manure is that in addition to the root nodules, it produces nodules in the stem. The stem nodulation is an adaptation for waterlogged situation since flooding limits growth of green manures and may reduce root nodulation. Under normal condition, both root and stem nodules are effective in N fixation. It has higher N content of 3.56% on dry weight basis. Biomass production is higher during summer (April – June) than in winter (Dec. – Jan.) season. This green manure can also be produced by raising seedlings (30 days old) and planted in the paddy field along the bunds or as intercrop with rice. Use of Rhizobium  bacteria increase the nitrogen fixation about 60-100 kg/ha/year.  

6. WILD INDIGO (TEPHROSIA PURPUREA) : This is a slow growing green manure crop and cattle do not prefer to graze it . The green manure is suitable for light textured soils, particularly in single crop wetlands. It establishes itself as a self sown crop and the seeds remain viable till the harvest of rice. On an average about 3-4 tonnes of green manure is obtained in one ha. The seed rate is 30 kg/ha. The seeds have a waxy impermeable seed coat and hence scarification is required to induce germination. Soaking seeds in boiling water for 2-3 minutes is also equally effective in promoting germination. 

7. INDIGO (INDIGOFERA TINCTORIA) : It resembles wild indigo and is along duration crop with more  leafy growth. It comes up well in clayey soils  with one or two irrigations.  

8.PILLIPESARA (PHESEOLUS TRILOBUS) : This is a dual  purpose crop yielding good fodder for the cattle and green manure. Pillipesara comes up well in hot season with sufficient soil moisture. Loamy or clayey soils are best suited. After taking one or two cuttings for fodder or light grazing by animals, the crop can be incorporated into the soil. About 5-8 tonnes of manure can be obtained from one ha. 

9. GLYRICIDIA (GLYRICIDIA MACULEATA) : This is a shrubby plant that comes  up well in moist situations. Under favourable conditions, it grows well like a tree. It can be easily grown in waste lands, farm road sides, field bunds, etc. The crop can be established by stem cuttings or seedlings planted in the field borders. It can be pruned for its tender loppings and compound leaves for green leaf manuring at the time of puddling rice. On an average, a well-established plant yields 12-15 kg green matter. About 400 plants on the peripheral bunds yields 5-6 tonnes  green manure/ha. 

10.KARANJ (PONGAMIA GLABRA) : It is a leguminous tree grown in wastelands. On an average, a tree can yield 100-120kg of green matter. The leaves contain about 3.7% N (on dry weight basis). 

11. CALATROPIS (CALOTROPIS GIGANTCA) : On roadsides and fallow lands, the plant grows wild under different soil and climatic conditions. The leaves are more succulent and a plant can produce about 4-5 kg of green matter. Besides it also helps in controlling soil born pests like termite.