Important bird area of Nepal and South asia

1. The Essence of Green
Manuring
Green manuring stands as an essential practice in sustainable
agriculture, contributing significantly to soil health and crop
productivity. Utilizing living plants to enrich the earth, green manuring
is an age-old technique that melds the cycle of growth with that of
cultivation, resulting in the enhancement of soil fertility. The
integration of green manure crops into farming systems not only
injects a wealth of organic matter into the soil but also harmonizes the
overall ecological balance, fostering a more vibrant, resilient
agricultural landscape.
by Rabindra Gautam

2. Enhancing Soil Organic Matter
1 Organic Balance
The practice of green manuring is a
direct counteraction to the loss of
precious organic matter that results
from intensive cultivation. As green
manure crops are turned under, they
release a bevy of nutrients, slowly
transforming into the rich humus that
bolsters soil structure.
2 Microbial Booster
A thriving microbial community is the
cornerstone of fertile soil. By adding
green manure crops, we are
essentially laying out a feast for these
unseen soil engineers, promoting
activities that lead to improved nutrient
cycling.
3 Water Retention
The organic matter from green manures acts like a sponge, swelling with water during
rains and irrigations. This increase in water holding capacity mitigates the risk of erosion
and assists crops during dry spells.

3. Characteristics of Ideal Green Manure Crops
Fast Growth
Plants chosen as green
manure crops should
germinate and reach maturity
quickly, ensuring that they can
be turned under before
competing with the main crop
cycle.
Hardiness
These crops should have the
resilience to withstand
unfavorable conditions, thereby
providing a reliable source of
organic matter regardless of
environmental stresses.
Nitrogen Fixation
Leguminous green manures
have the unique ability to
convert atmospheric nitrogen
into forms usable by plants,
enriching soil fertility without
the need for synthetic
fertilizers.

4. Nutrient Contributions by Green Manure
Crops
Name of Crop Organic Matter added (kg/ha) Nitrogen Fixation (kg/ha)
Rahar/Arhar 3000-4500 20-30
Berseem 6500-8000 30-45
Dhaicha 8500-11000 45-60

5. Timing the Turn: Green Manure Crop
Incorporation
1 Flowering Phase
The initiation of flowering signals the optimal time to turn under green manures, coinciding
with peak biomass and nutrient content.
2 Soil Preparation
Preparing the soil with heavy planking followed by strategic ploughing allows for thorough
incorporation and efficient decomposition of the green manure.
3 Moisture and Decomposition
Light irrigation post-incorporation promotes a faster breakdown of the green manure,
accelerating the release of nutrients back into the soil.

6. Optimizing Decomposition of Green
Manure
Ploughing
Burial of crops must be done meticulously to ensure optimal contact with the soil,
fostering a conducive environment for decomposition.
Irrigation
Introducing moisture after ploughing aids in breaking down the plant material,
turning green manures into accessible nutrients for future crops.
Ammonium Sulphate
Applying ammonium sulphate can further hasten the decomposition process,
supporting the microbial activity in the soil.

7. The Ecological Role of Green Manuring
Nutrient Cycling
Green manuring promotes a self-
sustaining ecosystem within the soil that
naturally cycles nutrients, reducing the
dependency on synthetic inputs.
Soil Erosion Control
By bolstering the soil's structure and
water retention capacity, green manuring
plays a pivotal role in preventing the
degradation and erosion of arable land.
Sustainable Practice
As a cornerstone of agroecological practices, green manuring aligns agricultural productivity
with the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

8. Future Perspectives on Green Manure
Utilization
1 Innovation in Usage
With ongoing research,
innovative ways to
optimize green manure
crops are likely to
surface, potentially
revolutionizing
sustainable agriculture
and agroforestry
systems.
2 Climate Change
Mitigation
The role of green
manuring in sequestering
carbon and mitigating
climate change impacts is
gaining attention,
emphasizing its
importance beyond soil
fertility.
3 Community
Involvement
Empowering local
communities with
knowledge and
techniques of green
manuring can lead to
enhanced food security
and socio-economic
resilience.