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Background: This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance, biomass production and nutrient accumulation of three abundant leguminous weeds, namely Crotolaria micans Link., Aeschynomene indica L. and Calopogonium mucunoides Desv., found in Mizoram, India, to assess their potentiality as green manure crops. Methods: The field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design. After 90 days of sowing, the growth performance of the plants and biomass accumulation was assessed. Accumulation of nutrients was estimated by analyzing the nutrient content using standard methods and multiplying it with dry biomass. Result: The result revealed that Crotolaria micans showed higher growth and biomass accumulation. C. micans accumulates higher N, P, K, Zn, Cu and Fe contents in the shoot and root biomass while A. indica accumulates higher Ca in the root biomass. We conclude that Crotolaria micans was the most promising leguminous weed species in terms of growth performance, biomass production and nutrient accumulation and has better potential to be utilized as a green manure crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The decomposition rate of biomass depends significantly on soil properties and on the design of the machine used for incorporation. Well-chopped biomass, incorporated in a productive zone with uniform mixing, gives better results instead of placing longer stalks on or near the field surface. Methods: In the field experiments conducted during 2017 and 2018, interaction of soil and biomass, placed at various depths in sandy loam soil, was studied 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 90 days after incorporation (DAI). Further, mechanical incorporation of green manure crop with innovative two-bottom combined tillage machine, namely biomass incorporator, was studied at different levels of soil type, plant height, forward speed and rotor speed. Result: The depth range of 70-140 mm was found most appropriate for incorporation to achieve a higher decomposition rate. Plant stem of 50 days old dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) crop decomposed by 13.0, 31.5, 29.25, 24.25 and 22.05% at depth range 0-70 (D1), 70-140 (D2), 140-210 (D3), 210-280 (D4) and 280-350 (D5) mm, respectively 10 DAI. About 55% of the biomass, incorporated at depth range D2, got decomposed 40 DAI. The average depth of placement of biomass with biomass incorporator ranged between 92 and 131 mm. The soil pulverization index and crop mixing index with the machine varied from 3.58 to 30.65 mm and 93.62 to 98.05%, respectively. The surface profile coefficient with the machine ranged between 24.2 and 50.6 mm. The efficient mixing of the biomass into the soil with thorough coverage of pulverized soil was achieved with rational field undulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conventional monoculture or cereal-cereal sequence systems insist farmers to use excessive application of chemical fertilizer in agriculture resulting reduce the soil organic matter contents and structures. The inclusion of green manuring crops in a rotation is vital to improve the biochemical and physical properties of the soil via increasing the labile of organic matter and ultimately increased crops yield. Some complex molecules of green manuring crops takes a longer time of decomposition and thus nutrients reserve in soil and release latter which provide nutrients to the succeeding and following crops. So the current experiment aimed to study the residual effect of different in situ green manuring crops to the sub-sequent and following soil. Methods: The field experiment conducted during 2015 to 2016 with eight green manuring crops and rice and mustard was the subsequent and following crop. In situ incorporation of GM crops with 100% (F1) and 50% (F2) fertilizer, the prior and post-harvest soil (cropping pattern) of experiment field (0-15 cm) was collected and analyzed. Result: After two consecutive year, GM-T.aman-Mustard cropping pattern increased soil organic matter 0.04% to 0.07% and 0.02% to 0.03% (T1 and T2 with F1 and F2) and nitogen 0.05% (T1, T2 and T7 with F1 and F2) and K 0.2 to 0.5 meq/100 g (M. pudica with F1 and F2) and P 2 ppm to 15 ppm (T1, T2, T3 and T7 with F1 and F2) compared to initial soil. Rice yield with T1, T2, T3 and T6 shown higher with both fertilizer doses. Nitrogen fertilizer rates could be reduced after the incorporation of green manures in the succeeding and following crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Direct wet seeding offers the advantage of faster and easier sowing, reduced labour and less drudgery, 7-10 days earlier crop maturity, more efficient water use and higher tolerance to water deficit, less methane emission, and often higher profit in areas with assured water supply. There is a possibility of intercropping green manures during early growth stage of rice with less interference on the crop growth, which also smothering the weed growth to enhance the productivity of wet direct seeded rice. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2019 and 2020 at the Department of Rice, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to study the time of sowing and method of sowing under wet direct seeded rice. The experimental trial was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Treatments comprising of time of sowing in main plot viz., normal sowing time in first fortnight of July and delayed sowing time in second fortnight of July. In sub-plot, method of sowing viz., broadcasting method, line sowing method, paddy drum seeder method, paddy + dhaincha drum seeder method and direct planting method. Result: The results revealed that, sowing of wet direct seeded rice during first fortnight of July month by using Paddy + Dhaincha drum seeder method recorded higher grain yield of 5707 kg/ha which resulted 33 per cent higher yield than that of broadcasting method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cereal based cropping systems are predominantly followed in south Asia because of higher productivity and profitability and ensuring food security. Rice is grown once a year in rotation mainly with wheat. Continuous cultivation of rice results in the formation of a hard pan below the ploughing layer, which may act as a barrier to normal root growth of the subsequent wheat crop. Consequently, soil bulk density is increased and hydraulic conductivity is reduced thus leading to non-conducive soil physical characteristics for the subsequent wheat crop. To reduce these ill effects, FYM is used as organic source. But live stock population is not increasing in the ratio as it is required to meet the FYM demand. Organic source requirement cannot meet through use of FYM in rice-wheat system, which is vital for food security point of view. There is need of alternate cost effective source of FYM which could enhance the soil health as well as productivity of rice-wheat system. The present study aimed to see the efficacy of growing green manure crop (Sesbania aculeata) as an alternative of FYM in the rice-wheat rotation. Methods: In this experiment conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 in on-going long term permanent manorial trial since 1984 at research farm (Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India), twelve treatments were taken under RBD in four replications. Observations and analysis were carried out by following the standard procedures. Result: The present investigation showed that combination of inorganic fertilizer and Sesbania aculeata helped in increasing yield as well as improving soil health. Sesbania aculeata can be used as a viable and cost effective alternative through partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers to enhance the soil health and productivity of rice-wheat system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Indian Institute of Pulses Research Vision document, India's population is expected to touch 1.68 billion by 2030 and the pulse requirement for the year 2030 is projected at 32 million tonnes with anticipated required annual growth rate of 4.2%. Pigeon pea is an important legume crop cultivated across several countries throughout the tropics and subtropics. They are cultivated in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Caribbean, East and West Africa. Commonly known as 'Arhar' in Northern India, this protein rich pulse crop has growing demand in Asia. Among the pulses pigeon pea is the second most important kharif grain legume after chickpea in India and grown predominantly under rainfed conditions. The kernels are nutritionally rich containing 20-22% protein. Its cultivation would be able to provide 40-60 kg N/ha to the subsequently grown crop. The leaves and immature stems can be used as a green manure. Fallen leaves can also be used as mulch and thus help to enhance the water holding capacity of soil. Its beneficial effect as an intercrop has also been reported. Sometimes ground dry peas are mixed with wheat flour just to improve the flour quality and its protein content. Additionally, pigeon pea shares a vital part in India's pulse import and export. Keeping all these in view the present review depicts the various aspects of pigeon pea cultivation and its status in Indian trade on pulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tithonia biomass transfer was presented as a technology that would replenish infertile soils, enhance food security and eradicate poverty in Africa in the 1990s. Since then, a huge volume of research has been conducted and the agronomic effectiveness of tithonia unequivocally demonstrated. Its reported effects on soil properties have however been inconsistent. This has made it difficult to develop a predictive understanding of the effects of tithonia on soil properties. Socio-economically, tithonia failed to live up to the hype on its ability to increase the farmers' incomes. Adoption rates have been dismal mainly because of high labor costs associated with its use. Two decades later, poverty and food insecurity are still widespread in Africa despite the enormous research and extension efforts that were devoted to popularizing the technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy dynamics of the weed control options adopted in rainfed cotton was valuated in a study conducted at College farm, PJTSAU, Hyderabad, Telangana State during kharif, 2017 in red and black soils. Three doses of Diuron (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 kg ha-1), pendimethalin 38.7% CS at 677 g ha-1 as PE followed by sequential application of pyrithiobac sodium 10% EC 62.5 g ha-1 + quizalofop p ethyl 5% EC 50 g ha-1, intercropping of cotton with green manure crop (Sunhemp), mechanical weeding thrice at 20, 40 and 60 DAS (weed free), polymulch and unweeded control were the treatments included in RBD design which was replicated thrice. The energy balance studies were determined by using direct and indirect energy. The results indicated that the maximum energy input was required for polymulch in both the soils. Highest kapas energy output (EOk) was observed in polymulch and mechanical weeding which was followed by diuron 1.0 kg ha-1 PE fb pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop p ethyl PoEin red soil, whereas in black soils, diuron 0.75 kg ha-1 PE fb pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop p ethyl PoE followed polymulch and mechanical weeding treatments. EUE of both kapas and total output was significantly higher in diuron 1.0 kg ha-1 PE fb pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop p ethyl PoE in red soil. While in black soil, significantly highest EUE of kapas and total output was recorded in diuron 0.75 kg ha-1 PE fb pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop p ethyl PoE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is a non-renewable or finite resource and is the bank of nutrients for plant growth. Most soils in the tropical region including Ethiopia are highly weathered and infertile due to lower organic matter content and open nutrient cycling systems. These led to soil fertility depletion and crop productivity reduction in the country by different soil degradation agents. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to review soil fertility depletions and its management options under crop production perspectives in Ethiopia. The major drivers of soil fertility depletion are population pressure, land use pattern, free grazing of animals, lack of energy sources, land ownership and poor government policy problems. The major causes of soil fertility depletion are inadequate fertilizer use, complete removal of crop residues, continuous cropping systems, climate and soil types, lack of proper cropping systems and soil erosion and continuous cultivation. The promising technologies for improving soil fertility are integrated nutrient management, crop residue management, green manuring and cropping sequences, management of farmyard manure, applications of chemical fertilizers and soil amendments, agroforestry practices, applying conservation agriculture and application of soil-water conservation practices. Therefore, it needs a great attention by the community and the government to use innovative soil fertility management options to sustain soil fertility and crop productivity for the coming generations in the country forever enhancing nutrient input and recycling through following closed nutrient management systems in the cultivated lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) commonly known as Guar, is a drought and high temperature tolerant deep-rooted summer annual legume of high social and economic significance. It is used as animal feed, fodder, green manure and for extraction of gum for industrial uses. India, being the largest cluster bean producer, contributes 75-80% to the global cluster bean basket. Rajasthan is a major player by contributing 72% of total production. The expansion of uses of cluster bean to new areas has transformed cluster bean in recent years into an important export crop. Looking at the agricultural and industrial importance of this marginalized crop in Rajasthan, particularly realizing the potential in southern parts of the state, the present study attempted to analyze the present scenario of the area, production, productivity and instability analysis of cluster bean crop in Bhilwara district of the state. The area, production, and productivity of cluster bean in Bhilwara district registered positive growth rates of 18.68, 29.13 and 8.54% per annum, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) for the area, production, and productivity in Bhilwara district were 101.78, 127.74 and 144.36% respectively. The value of CV was high for production and yield, indicating high instability. The instability in the area was more in Bhilwara district compared to the state as a whole. Bhilwara district emerged as highest unstable and whole Rajasthan as lowest unstable in production of cluster bean during the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of Lupinus exaltatus, L. mexicanus, and L. rotundiflorus foliage as green manure in terms of total dry matter production and nitrogen (N) content was evaluated. This study was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016 in Zapopan Jalisco, México. The experiment was established in a randomized 3×7 block factorial design. Whole plants, leaves and stems were collected at different periods after sowing and analyzed for N and dry matter content. At the start of the experimental period, a slow growth was observed, based on dry matter production; however, at 93 days after sowing, both biomass and total N increased in the aerial part. The lowest and highest N content was found in L. rotundiflorus (1.2 to 4.0%). The highest dry matter and N accumulated in whole plants were found in L. exaltatus at 169 days after sowing with 21,605 and 410.6 kg ha-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was undertaken at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, OUAT Bhubaneswar to study the response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties to LCC based nitrogen application under Real Time Nitrogen Management (RTNM) during summer 2015 in split plot design with three replications. Four varieties (V1- Lalat, V2- Naveen, V3- Hiranmayee and V4- Gobinda) were in main plot and sub plots were assigned with six N- management practices (N1- Control, N2- RDN@ 80 kg N ha-1 while in treatment N3 to N6, 20 kg N was applied in each split at LCC level 3 (N3), LCC level 4(N4), LCC level 5(N5) and LCC level 6 (N6). A uniform dose of phosphorous and potassium @ 40 kg ha-1 each along with well decomposed FYM @ 5t ha-1 were applied to all the plots as basal. Nitrogen uptake was maximum (88.59 kg ha-1) in variety Naveen, whereas, the variety Gobinda had maximum agronomic efficiency (24.12 kg kg-1), recovery efficiency (37.23 kg kg-1), physiological efficiency (53.33 kg kg-1) and partial factor productivity (44.58 kg kg-1).Application of RDF resulted in maximum uptake of nitrogen (94.20 kg ha-1) and registered the highest agronomic efficiency (32.86 kg kg-1), recovery efficiency (55.40 kg ka-1)and partial factor productivity (65.61 kg ka-1). The highest physiological efficiency of 63.93 kg ha-1 and minimum N loss of 29.35 kg ha-1 was recorded forLCC 4 (N4) threshold value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration of soil fertility of arable land is a great challenge in the developing and populous countries like India. The country witnessed the benefits Green Revolution Technologies (GRTs) in boosting of grain yield and the after effect of GRTs during past few decades in terms of deterioration of soil fertility and land degradation, loss of soil flora and fauna, genetic erosion, ecological unbalance, yield plateauing and associated insecurity in livelihood of the farmers. Now maintenance of soil fertility and sustainability of agriculture production are of important concerns. Green manuring can play an important role in this regard as it showed versatile impacts like improvement of soil physico-chemical and biological properties and fertility, nutrient supply to succeeding crops, checking erosion and plant protection. The previous research activities on various aspects of green manures were reviewed here in favour of evergreen agriculture for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the effect of sowing density is crucial for good tillering and production of dry matter yield of green manure crops. An experiment was to determine the effect of sowing density on tiller number, total dry matter yield production and ground cover by green leaf blades of two green manure crops namely winter rye and lolium. Split-plot design was used with a green manure crop as a main factor and sowing density as a sub-plot factor with six blocks in 3 different sowing densities. An advisable sowing density of 50% and 100% did show a significant difference on the number of tillers for winter rye. Sowing density did show a significant linear effect on ground cover by green leaf blades of the crops. Sowing density showed a significant linear effect on total dry matter yield. To evaluate the effect of environment further investigation would be need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2012 and 2013 to study the effect of moisture conservation practices on growth and yield attributes of pearl millet + pigeonpea intercropping system under rainfed condition in Madhya Pradesh. On the basis of two years pooled data results revealed that green leaf manure with maize residue mulch treatment recorded higher plant height (110.3cm), more number of tillers per plant (8.4), higher ear length (12.4cm) and grain weight (33.5g) in pearl millet. Similar treatment recorded higher pigeonpea plant height (140.44cm), primary branches (8.83), higher number of pods (90.3) and pod weight per plant (79.62g). The magnitude of improvement in grain yield of pearl millet and pigeonpea was 30.18 and 99.9% respectively, by green leaf manure with maize residue mulch compared to control. Similarly PMEY, net return and benefit cost ratio were also higher in green leaf manure with maize residue mulch over control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the North Eastern Hill Region of India, the shifting or jhum cultivation is practiced in 16.79 lac ha area and rice bean is an essential part of jhum. Increasing the productivity of jhum is one of the important management options to uplift the economies of farmers. Identification / development of early maturing, high yielding rice bean genotypes that may give stable yields, is the most important breeding objective in this region. Fifty two rice bean genotypes were evaluated in kharif seasons for three consecutive years to select suitable genotypes for cultivation in this region and identify suitable parents for hybridization programmes. Wide range of variability was observed for the characters studied. Grain yield was found to be positively correlated with all the characters except days to maturity. Two lines, IC 187911 and RCRB 1-3 with high grain yield/plant, average stability and predictable performance over three years, were identified as suitable for cultivation in the region. An analysis of the percentage contribution to genetic diversity revealed that 100-seed weight and pod yield/plant were the major contributing characters towards genetic diversity. Based on the diversity in clusters and their mean performances for various characters, probable parents were identified for developing high yielding and early maturing genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of consecutive turnover of green manure (ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)) on soil microbial biomass C and N and enzyme activities. The results showed that the incorporation of green manure in tobacco-planted fields generally significantly enhanced enzyme activities (soil para nitrophenol (PNP), urease, catalase, and sucrase) and soil microbial biomass contents. The extent of enhancement increased with the increase in consecutive turnover. The C and N contents in microbial biomass were significantly lower in conventionally cultivated soil than in soils from the green manure-incorporated field. This finding indicated that incorporation of green manure could stimulate the activity of soil microorganisms. The average improvement gained from the T3 treatment (three-year consecutive cultivation of green manure since the harvest of tobacco) relative to the T0 treatment (conventional cultivation without any green manure) over the whole growth period of tobacco was 1.34 to 1.52 times for urease activity, 1.11 to 1.19 times for PNP activity, 1.58 to 1.17 times for sucrase activity, and 1.24 to 1.50 times for catalase activity. Overall, the activities of soil enzymes correlated well with the soil microbial biomass C and N. This study provides guidance on the measurement of green manure to manage the activation of soil microbial biomass and improve the quality of tobacco-planted soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during kharif and rabi seasons of 2000 - 2001 and 2001-2002, to study the effect nitrogen and potassium management in maximizing the productivity of hybrid rice (ADTRH 1 and CORH 2). The experiments were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included sources and levels of nitrogen and split application of N and K. The results revealed that application of 10 t ha-1 green manure along with 200kg ha-1 inorganic nitrogen improved the yield and yield attributes of rice hybrids (ADTRH 1 and CORH2) and also recorded higher yield (8210 kg ha-1 in kharif and 7775 kg ha-1 in rabi seasons) Similarly, application of N and K in four equal splits at active tillering, panicle initiation, booting and flowering recorded higher yield ( 7598 kg ha-1 in kharif and 7272 kg ha-1 in rabi seasons). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]