GREEN LEAF MANURE
Application of green leaves and twigs of trees, shrubs and herbs collected from elsewhere is known as green leaf manuring. Forest tree leaves are the main sources for green leaf manure. Plants growing in wastelands, field bunds etc., are another source of green leaf manure. The important plant species useful for green leaf manure are neem, mahua, wild indigo, Glyricidia, Karanji (Pongamia glabra) calotropis, avise(Sesbania grandiflora), subabul and other shrubs.
Nutrient content of green leaf manure
| Plant |
Scientific name |
Nutrient content (%) on air dry basis |
| N |
P2O5 |
K |
| Gliricidia |
Gliricidia sepium |
2.76 |
0.28 |
4.60 |
| Pongania |
Pongamia glabra |
3.31 |
0.44 |
2.39 |
| Neem |
Azadirachta indica |
2.83 |
0.28 |
0.35 |
| Gulmohur |
Delonix regia |
2.76 |
0.46 |
0.50 |
| Peltophorum |
Peltophorum ferrugenum |
2.63 |
0.37 |
0.50 |
| Weeds |
| Parthenium |
Parthenium hysterophorus |
2.68 |
0.68 |
1.45 |
| Water hyacinth |
Eichhornia crassipes |
3.01 |
0.90 |
0.15 |
| Trianthema |
Trianthema portulacastrum |
2.64 |
0.43 |
1.30 |
| Ipomoea |
Ipomoea |
2.01 |
0.33 |
0.40 |
| Calotrophis |
Calotropis gigantea |
2.06 |
0.54 |
0.31 |
| Cassia |
Cassia fistula |
1.60 |
0.24 |
1.20 |
Advantages
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Green manuring improves soil structure, increases water holding capacity and decreases soil loss by erosion.
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Growing of green manure crops in the off season reduces weed proliferation and weed growth.
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Green manuring helps in reclamation of alkaline soils. Root knot nematodes can be controlled by green manuring.
Source:
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http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/pdb_Chamma_2003-05-18_105323559216.jpg
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http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/science/timage/14737ic1.jpg
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http://www.mytho-fleurs.com/images/Fleurs_du_Vietnam/Calotropis_gigantea.jpg
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http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ikmp/images/parthenium.gif
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http://www.metafro.be/prelude/prelude_pic/Peltophorum_africanum2.jpg
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http://gardendigger.com/images/toptropicals/3/3972.jpg
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