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Green manure

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Green manure plants
image of different plants commonly used for green manure crops
A field of clover, a green manure crop

In agriculture, a green manure is a crop specifically produced to be incorporated into the soil while still green.[1] Typically, the green manure's biomass is incorporated with a plow or disk, as is often done with (brown) manure. The primary goal is to add organic matter to the soil for its benefits. Green manuring is often used with legume crops to add nitrogen to the soil for following crops, especially in organic farming, but is also used in conventional farming.[2]

Functions

Green manures usually perform multiple functions that include soil improvement and soil protection:

Depending on the species of cover crop grown, the amount of nitrogen released into the soil lies between 40 and 200 pounds per acre. With green manure use, the amount of nitrogen that is available to the succeeding crop is usually in the range of 40-60% of the total amount of nitrogen that is contained within the green manure crop.[3]
Average biomass and nitrogen yields of several legumes[1]
Crop Biomass (tons acre−1) N (lbs acre−1)
Sweet clover 1.75 120
Berseem clover 1.10 70
Crimson clover 1.40 100
Hairy vetch 1.75 110
  • Green manure acts mainly as soil-acidifying matter to decrease the alkalinity/pH of alkali soils by generating humic acid and acetic acid.
  • Incorporation of cover crops into the soil allows the nutrients held within the green manure to be released and made available to the succeeding crops. This results immediately from an increase in abundance of soil microorganisms from the degradation of plant material that aid in the decomposition of this fresh material. This additional decomposition also allows for the re-incorporation of nutrients that are found in the soil in a particular form such as nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).
  • Microbial activity from incorporation of cover crops into the soil leads to the formation of mycelium and viscous materials which benefit the health of the soil by increasing its soil structure (i.e. by aggregation).[3]
The increased percentage of organic matter (biomass) improves water infiltration and retention, aeration, and other soil characteristics. The soil is more easily turned or tilled than non-aggregated soil. Further aeration of the soil results from the ability of the root systems of many green manure crops to efficiently penetrate compact soils. The amount of humus found in the soil also increases with higher rates of decomposition, which is beneficial for the growth of the crop succeeding the green manure crop. Non-leguminous crops are primarily used to increase biomass.

Incorporation of green manures into a farming system can drastically reduce the need for additional products such as supplemental fertilizers and pesticides.

Limitations to consider in the use of green manure are time, energy, and resources (monetary and natural) required to successfully grow and utilize these cover crops. Consequently, it is important to choose green manure crops based on the growing region and annual precipitation amounts to ensure efficient growth and use of the cover crop(s).

Nutrient release

Green manure is broken down into plant nutrient components by heterotrophic bacteria that consumes organic matter. Warmth and moisture contribute to this process, similar to creating compost fertilizer. The plant matter releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and weak acids that react with insoluble soil minerals to release beneficial nutrients. Soils that are high in calcium minerals, for example, can be given green manure to generate a higher phosphate content in the soil, which in turn acts as a fertilizer.[4]

Main article: Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio

The ratio of carbon to nitrogen in a plant is a crucial factor to consider, since it will impact the nutrient content of the soil and may starve a crop of nitrogen, if the incorrect plants are used to make green manure. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen will differ from species to species, and depending upon the age of the plant. The ratio is referred to as C:N. The value of N is always one, whereas the value of carbon or carbohydrates is expressed in a value of about 10 up to 90; the ratio must be less than 30:1 to prevent the manure bacteria from depleting existing nitrogen in the soil. Rhizobium are soil organisms that interact with green manure to retain atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.[7] Legumes, such as beans, alfalfa, clover and lupines, have root systems rich in rhizobium, often making them the preferred source of green manure material.[citation needed]

Crops

Many green manures are planted in autumn or winter to cover the ground before spring or summer sowing.[8]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h This is one of many legumes that may be used as a green manure crop.[3]
  2. ^ a b c This is one of many non-legumes that may be used as a green manure crop.[3]

History

The value of green manure was recognized by farmers in India for thousands of years, as mentioned in treatises like Vrikshayurveda.[citation needed] In Ancient Greece too, farmers ploughed broad bean plants into the soil. Chinese agricultural texts dating back hundreds of years refer to the importance of grasses and weeds in providing nutrients for farm soil. It was also known to early North American colonists arriving from Europe. Common colonial green manure crops were rye, buckwheat and oats.[4] Traditionally, the incorporation of green manure into the soil is known as the fallow cycle of crop rotation, which was used to allow the soil to regain its fertility after the harvest.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Pieters, Adrian J (1927). Green Manuring (PDF). John Wiley & Sons, NY. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  2. ^ Larkin, Robert P.; Honeycutt, C. Wayne; Olanya, O. Modesto (2011-05-01). "Management of Verticillium Wilt of Potato with Disease-Suppressive Green Manures and as Affected by Previous Cropping History". Plant Disease. 95 (5): 568–576. doi:10.1094/PDIS-09-10-0670. ISSN 0191-2917. PMID 30731947.
  3. ^ a b c d Sullivan, Preston. 2003. Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures: Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture.
  4. ^ a b c d Lawrence, James (1980). The Harrowsmith Reader, Volume II. Camden House Publishing Ltd. p. 145. ISBN 0920656102.
  5. ^ Vasilakoglou, Ioannis, Dhima, Kico, Anastassopoulos, Elias, Lithourgidis, Anastasios, Gougoulias, Nikolaos, and Chouliaras, Nikolaos. 2011. Oregano green manure for weed suppression in sustainable cotton and corn fields. Weed Biology and Management 11:38-48.
  6. ^ Larkin, Robert P., Honeycutt, Wayne, and Olanya Modesto, O. 2011. Management of Verticillium Wilt of Potato with Disease-Suppressive Green Manures and as Affected by Previous Cropping History. Plant Dis. 95:568-576.
  7. ^ Lawrence, James (1980). The Harrowsmith Reader, Volume II. Camden House Publishing Ltd. p. 146. ISBN 0920656102.
  8. ^ "Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association" (PDF). mofga.org. November 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  9. ^ a b "Green Manures". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  10. ^ Philpott, Tom (2013-09-09). "One Weird Trick to Fix Farms Forever". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
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