SITHAGATHI (Sesbania speciosa)

Season: Can be grown in all seasons, March – April is best for sowing Soil: Grown in all types of soil conditions Seed rate: 30 – 40 kg/ha for green manure Seed purpose 15 kg/ha Seed treatment: Mix seeds with specific rhizobium strain @ 5 pkts /ha Spacing: Broadcasted, for seed purpose adopt 45 x 20 cm Irrigation: Once in 15 – 20 days Harvest: Incorporate the green mater 45-60 DAS & for seed collect the seeds 130 DAS Yield : Green biomass – 15-18t/ha, Seed – 400-600 kg/ha

DHAINCHA ( Sesbania aculeata )

Season: Grown in all seasons when sufficient moisture is available Sowing during March – April is best for seed production Soil: Grown in all soil conditions Seed rate: Green manure: 50 kg/ha Seed purpose 20 kg/ha

Green biomass – 25 t/ha Seed – 500-600 kg/ha

MANILA AGATHI - Sesbania rostrata

1. Aquatic leguminous crop has nodules both on the stem and roots
2. Introduced to India in 1980's from the IRRI, Philippines
3. Tropical legume thrives well under flooded and water logged conditions
4. Naturally propagated by seeds, seedlings and root stem cuttings can also be used as planting material.

Season Grown in all seasons Sowing during February-May yields more biomass. March – May sowing is best for seed production

Black & red soils are suitable, Saline alkaline soils are not suitable Seed rate: 40 kg/ha for green manure, Seed purpose 7-8 kg/ha Seed treatment: Seeds to be scarified with concentrated H2SO4 (100 ml/kg) by soaking for 10 minutes then wash thoroughly (10-15 times). Mix seeds with specific rhizobium strain @ 5 pkts /ha Spacing: Broadcasted For seed purpose adopt 45 x 20 cm

Once in 15 – 20 days Nipping: For seed purpose it should be done 60 DAS to increase branching and seed yield Harvest: Incorporate the green mater within 45-50 DAS & Seeds can be collected from 100 DAS (3-4 harvest) Yield: Green biomass – 20 t/ha Seed – 500-600 kg/ha

SUNNHEMP ( Crotalaria juncea )

1. Quick growing green manure -cum-fibre crop
2. Does not withstand heavy irrigation or continuous water logging

Season: Grown in all seasons, Sowing during March – April is best for seeds production Soil: Loamy soils are suitable Seed rate: 25-35 kg/ha for green manure Seed purpose: 20 kg/ha Seed treatment: Mix seeds with specific rhizobium strain @ 5 pkts /ha Spacing: Broadcasted or 30x10cm For seed purpose adopt 45 x 20 cm Irrigation: Once in 30 days Harvest: Incorporate the green mater within 45-60 DAS For seed purpose: Collect the seeds from 150 DAS Yield: Green biomass – 13-15 t/ha, Seed – 400 kg/ha

WILD INDIGO ( Tephrosia purpurea )

1. Slow growing green manure crop not grazed by cattle
2. If continuously raised for two to four seasons in the same field, it becomes self sown in the subsequent years and there is no need of any fresh sowing
3. Hardy and drought resistant and suited for summer fallows.

Season: Grown in all seasons Sowing during March – April is best for seeds production. Soil: Can be grown in all soils, sandy soils are suitable. Seed rate: 15-20 kg/ha for green manure Seed purpose 10 kg/ha. Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in concentrated sulphuric acid (100 ml /kg seed) for 30 minutes and then thoroughly wash the seeds in water for 10-15 times and shade dry. Spacing: Broadcasted For seed purpose: Adopt 30 x 10 cm. Irrigation: Once in 30 days Harvest: Incorporate within 60 DAS & for seed collect from 150 DAS. Yield Green biomass – 6-7 t/ha Seed – 400 - 500 kg/ha

PILLIPESARA ( Phaseolus trilobus )

• Dual purpose crop yielding good fodder and green manure.
• Herbaceous creeper grows into a short dense cover crop if sown thick.
• Does not produce a bulky yield, it is capable of being cut twice or thrice before being ploughed into the field.

Source: www.tropicalforages.info www.farm4.static.flickr.com