Green leaf manuring
- Green
leaves, twigs of trees, shrubs and herbs collected from elsewhere and applied
in field, is known as green leaf manuring.
- Forest tree leaves, and plants growing in wastelands, field bunds are major source of green leaf manure.
- The important plant species useful for green leaf manure are neem, mahua, wild indigo, Calotropis, Glyricidia, Karanj (Pongamia glabra), Avise (Sesbania grandiflora), Subabul and other shrubs.
- Nutrient
content of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium)
are: 2.76%N, 0.28%P, 4.60%K, and Pongania (Pongamia
glabra) are: 3.31%N, 0.44%P, 2.39%K
- Green leaf manuring improves soil structure, increases water holding capacity, decreases soil loss by erosion, reduces weed growth. Root knot nematodes can be controlled by green manuring.
- Green manuring is often recommended for reclamation of alkaline soils.