A Series of Lectures By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agriculture Extension KPK , Provincial Project Director CMP II MINFAl Islamabad and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan 11 views

2. Integrated Nutrient Management
(Benefits of Green Farming)
A
Series of Lecture
By
Mr.Allah Dad Khan

3. Mr. Allah Dad Khan

4. Adding Nutrients
Certain varieties bring to the surface minerals
they would be unusable to plants and
leguminous green manures absorb nitrogen
from the air and fix it in root nodules on their
roots so that when it is dug in it becomes
available to the following crop. Specific soil
bacteria are required to be present but they are
usually present in healthy soil. Nitrogen is
required by plants as it encourages healthy
stem and leaf growth.

5. Amelioration of soil problems
Sesbania aculeata (daincha) applied to
sodic soils continuously for four or five
seasons improves the permeability and
helps to reclaim.
Argemone mexicana & Tamarindus indica
has a buffering effect when applied to sodic
soils

6. Fertility improvement of soils
1. Absorb nutrients from the lower layer and
leave them in surface when ploughed
2. Prevent leaching of nutrients to lower layers.
3. Harbour N fixing bacteria, rhizobia in root
nodules and fix atmospheric N
4. (60 to 100 kg N/ha)
5. Increase the solubility of lime phosphates,
trace elements etc., through the activity of
the soil microorganisms and by producing
organic acids during decomposition

7. Improving Soil Structure
Some green manures have deep
penetrative roots that as they grow open up
the soil. This is an advantage on heavy soils
as allows drainage to occur more freely and
organic matter to be left in the soil and on
lighter soils the particles of soil can bind
together better so they can hold water better
and leaves organic matter in the soil

8. Resting Soil
Some soils need a rest to recover from
constant cultivation and by planting with a
green manure it will help soil fertility and
structure with very little effort. Green
manures can be left in for a year or more,
but in the case of most domestic
gardens/allotments it is generally a winter
thing.

9. Soil Protection
As a living mulch it helps to protect the soil
from compaction due to heavy rainfall,
prevents the leaching of nutrients, and helps
hold the soil together. In the summer it will
protect the soil from the drying effects of the
sun and wind.

10. Soil Protection
As a living mulch it helps to protect the soil
from compaction due to heavy rainfall,
prevents the leaching of nutrients, and helps
hold the soil together. In the summer it will
protect the soil from the drying effects of the
sun and wind.

11. Soil Structure and tilth
improvement
1. Green manuring builds up soil structure and
improves tilth
2. Promotes formation of crumbs in heavy soils
leading to aeration and drainage
3. Increases the water holding capacity of light
soils.
4. Form a canopy cover over the soil, reduce
the soil temperature and prevents from
erosive action of rain and water

12. Weed Suppression
Green manures crops grow quickly and their
very leafy growth smothers weeds. It is like
a living mulch as it suppresses weeds and
retains moisture in the soil. It is good
practice to make sure the soil is weed free
first. That is why they are very important
when areas are left fallow especially good in
winter.