Effect of Brown Manuring on Soil Properties, Weed Density, Grain Yield and Economics of Different Crops

Brown manuring in conjunction with pre-emergence herbicide(s) significantly improves the soil physico-chemical properties viz., organic matter, soil aggregation, available nitrogen, concentration of available nutrients in the root zone and reduces the bulk density, N-losses through leaching and soil erosion. Vegetative cover prevents the build-up of aggregates which could lead to the formation of surface crust which in turn increases soil infiltration rate. Integration of herbicide(s) with brown manuring markedly improved protein content in grain and protein yield than other management practices. Grain yield of direct seeded rice with Sesbania brown manuring was statistically at par with conventional transplanting of rice. Brown manuring can replace 25 per cent of nitrogenous fertilizer with the overall improvement of soil health. It aimed at suppressing the weeds by its competitive nature and shade effect with improvement in the soil physico-chemical and biological properties.