Green Manure: Aspects and its Role in Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Continuous cropping and frequent soil cultivation contribute to the breakdown of soil aggregates and the removal of organic matter, which reduces soil fertility and production. Green manuring is a low-cost and efficient approach for reducing the expense of inorganic fertilizers and preserving soil fertility. Due to the mounting problems facing agriculture, including climate change, extreme weather events, soil deterioration, and land contamination as a result of the overuse of chemical fertilizers, many farmers are adding green manuring into their methods to prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure, control weed growth, and most importantly increase the soil's fertility. The use of green manure has drastically decreased, raising concerns about the sustainability of soil fertility. Field crops may experience a temporary setback following the integration of organic residues with a high C-N ratio. By enhancing the soil's structure, fertility, and nutrient content, green manuring functions as a restoration factory to maintain the soil's fertility for sustainable agriculture. Green manure is therefore essential for growers that seek to decrease the use of dangerous chemicals for soil fertilization. Many farmers must use green manure in their operations to avoid the usage of chemical fertilizers in agriculture.