Revitalizing soils with Green Manuring: Principles & Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21523688Keywords:
Green manuring, Soil health, Biological nitrogen fixation, Sustainable agricultureAbstract
Green manuring is an eco-friendly and cost-effective soil management practice that contributes to the restoration of degraded soils and the development of sustainable agricultural systems. It involves incorporating green biomass or collected green leaves into the soil to increase organic matter, improve nutrient availability and enhance soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Leguminous green manure crops also contribute biologically fixed nitrogen, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and support beneficial soil microorganisms. In addition, green manuring improves soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient cycling, weed suppression and the management of selected pests, pathogens and nematodes. Proper crop selection, timely sowing, adequate biomass production and incorporation at the flowering stage are essential for obtaining maximum benefits. Despite constraints related to moisture availability, decomposition and cropping schedules, green manuring has considerable potential for soil carbon sequestration, climate-change mitigation and carbon-credit generation. Wider adoption and improved seed availability can strengthen climate-resilient, organic and sustainable farming systems.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Prakshipta Boruah, Bamon Timung, Barenya Gogoi, Monuj Kumar Doley
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