Description of practice
Green manure or catch crops are rotation crops that are ploughed into the soil or spread on it rather than being harvested. They provide nutrients and organic matter for the subsequent crop. Growing green manure is crucial for maintenance or improvement of soil fertility.
| Examples of how to use green manure | Further information (see Note below) |
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Tancy PhaceliaTancy Phacelia is grown as a green manure. It is an annual species native to drylands, and adds organic matter, nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil while at the same time decreasing weeds. |
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Mexican SunflowerLeaves of the Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) are used as a green manure. The sunflower grows along roadsides or farm boundaries and its leaf has a high nitrogen and phosphorus content. |
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SesbaniaSesbania is grown as a green manure. It is a versatile species primarily used between rice crops or as an intercrop in transplanted rice. It enhances soil structure and soil fertility. |
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SorghumSorghum is used in green house cultivations as a green manure in crop rotation (e.g. with tomato plants). It aims to reduce pest cycles and soil borne diseases while improving soil structure and nutrient content. |
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Green manure in orchardsNitrogen-fixing green manure species are planted around orchard trees. This is an ecological option to maintain and enhance soil fertility. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.