Biomass and biofertilizer production by Sesbania cannabina in alkaline soil

Abstract

Biomass shortages in developing countries require increased investigation into fast-growing, N-fixing, woody plant species. In field trials in north India, the potential of Sesbania cannabina for production of green leaf manure (biofertilizer) and firewood (woody biomass) was investigated. At 100 days after sowing (DAS), green matter was 21·5 and 9·4 Mg ha −1 in the stem and the leaf. A seeding rate of 15 kg ha −1 producing a population of 10 5 plants per hectare was adequate. Biofertilizer potential was 124·7 N, 5·3 P, 80·7 K and 12·0 S (kg ha −1), respectively. Nodulation was profuse and effective and N fixed was nearly 122 kg ha −1 at 100 DAS. At maturity, 200 DAS, woody biomass production was 19·2 Mg ha −1 and growing Sesbania until this stage was no more demanding on soil nutrients than growing it for green-matter production. There was a considerable beneficial influence from growing Sesbania on soil C and N status.