Green Manure: Varieties and Advantages

Manure is a matter that serves as a fertilizer in agriculture and plays a crucial role in the growth of flowers and crops. In addition to that, it contributes to the fertility of the soil in a positive manner by offering nutrients, organic matter and other supplementary minerals. There are a lot of varieties of manure available in the market some of which are animal, compost or green manure. You can buy green manure easily in the market from farming equipment outlets, especially tractor dealer who deal in all kinds of farming necessities. Moving ahead, as the focus here is on green manure then what exactly is green manure? 

Green manure In Layman’s Words

Green manure is in particular a type of crop or plant variety. That is first grown and post that it undergoes soil transformation. With the sole aim to improve the latter’s overall quality. Furthermore, these cover plants or crops that grow and then uprooted or sown and left on the field to perish. To provide mulch for soil cover and nutrients for increasing soil fertility. You can leave the cover crop cut or whole and then plough or simply leave it You can also plant cover crops post-harvest or as a part of crop rotation during the growing season.

In addition to enhancing the soil’s quality, this green manure also prevents the rich topsoil from being washed away during rainy seasons. Green manure finds the most use in organic farming and plays a crucial role when it comes to viable annual cropping systems. 

Varieties of Green Manure

1. Legumes

These are plant varieties with roots that team up and collaborate with the bacteria lying in the soil to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere, in a process called nitrogen fixation. The process is more supported by an inoculant or treatment medium that helps the legumes operate. You can easily buy these inoculants from the markets where agricultural products and services namely tractor loan is up for sale. Some of the legume manure varieties are soybeans, letches, alfalfa, peas, beans, lupins, and clover.

2. Non Legumes

There are some other varieties of green manures (chicory, ryegrass, phacelia, turnips, rye, oats, barley, mustard and buckwheat) that too serve as cover crops. These too nourish the soils with organic matter. In addition to that, winter rye is also a form of rye that grows in the low-temperature zones of the globe.

Advantages of Green Manure

1. Preventing Erosions and Leaching

Green manure is alternatively called cover crops because it covers the soil and also prevents the latter from exposure to harsh elements. This happens because the roots of these crops hold on to soil particles and keep them in place while plant bodies safeguard the soil from extreme rains and the burning sun, hence avoiding erosion.

Not only that, but green manure also reduces the drain of nutrients into the environment. As these cover crops suck nutrients into their bodies and keep them until the crop is dug out of the soil. And after these plants have undergone decomposition then these nutrients are gradually and slowly released into the soil, right on time for the crop in line to use them for their growth.

On the other hand, in the case where the soil is kept open then the nutrients will wash out into the environment, denying soils access to the necessary nutrients, as well as causing damage to water systems.

2. Providing Organic Matter And Nutrients To The Soil

The usage of manure plays an important role in increasing the level of key plant nutrients. Also, Leguminous green manure like clover and vetch have the ability to capture nitrogen from the air and pass it to the soil. Besides, Nitrogen, for instance, is a crucial nutrient that advocates the healthy growth of the crops that you can grow in the coming future.

Other green manure types, namely lupin and buckwheat, nourishes the soil with phosphorus. Lupin, in particular, is famous for sucking in and consuming ten times more phosphorus than a common grain or wheat.

Disadvantages of Green Manure

1. Harboring Snails and Slugs

A green manure crop has the potential to become a perfect breeding ground for snails and slugs. This means that their numbers will experience an exponential increase which might ultimately affect some of your crops, especially vegetables.

2. Nurtures Pests and Diseases

Apart from housing both slugs and snails, green manure crops have the ability to house both pests and diseases. And this can become a regular thing in the absence of a mechanism that keeps these manure crops safe from the pests and diseases themselves. Also, the use of phosphatic fertilizers along with leguminous green manure crops helps increase the output for the rapid increase of Rhizobia, as well as increasing the phosphorus levels of the following crop. 

Selection of Green Manure

Choosing the right green manure largely depends on the specific goals and requirements of your soil and crop rotation plan. Here are a few examples for green manures:

1. Crimson Clover: This legume recognise for its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, making it an excellent choice for enriching soil fertility. It also provides good ground cover and weed suppression.
2. Buckwheat: Buckwheat is a fast-growing green manure that helps smother weeds, improves soil structure, and attracts beneficial insects. It is particularly useful for suppressing nematodes and adding organic matter.
3. Winter Rye: Winter rye is a hardy cereal grain that can tolerate cold temperatures. It helps prevent soil erosion, suppresses weeds, and adds organic matter. It also has an extensive root system that improves soil structure.
4. Mustard: Mustard is a brassica plant that releases natural compounds that suppress soil-borne diseases and pests. It can help reduce populations of nematodes, fungi, and weeds.
5. Field Peas: Field peas are legumes that fix nitrogen and add organic matter to the soil. They have a vining habit and can grow alongside tall crops, providing a vertical element in the garden.

Remember to consider factors such as climate, crop rotation plan, and specific soil needs when selecting the right green manure for your situation. Consulting with local agricultural extension services or experienced farmers in your area can provide valuable insights tailored to your region’s conditions.