Green manure crops: A boon for agricultural soil

Soil degradation is the principal cause of a continuous decrease in crop production. The decrease in productivity is closely tied to a decline in the levels of soil organic matter and nutrient. Therefore, in order to maintain soil productivity in agricultural systems (where chemical fertilizers are normally not used) biomass is shown to be an essential element, due to the fact that it permits nutrient recycling and controls the microbial population that maintain favorable soil properties. In this sense, Use of green manure/cover crops such as Sesbania, sunnhemp, dhaincha, pillipesara, and clusterbeans form part of a technological strategy that has been proven by research and farmer practice to be efficient and economically viable, and that has as its objective the increase and conservation of soil organic matter and nutrients especially nitrogen.