Crop response and soil fertility as influenced by green leaves of indigenous agroforestry tree species in a lowland rice system in northeast India

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during rainy seasons of three consecutive years (2008–2010) to study the effect of green leaf manuring on dry matter partitioning and productivity of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). Green leaves of five indigenous agroforestry tree species viz., Erythrina indica, Acacia auriculiformis, Alnus nepalensis, Parkia roxburghii, and Cassia siamea were treated at 10 t ha−1 on fresh weight basis in rice fields and compared with recommended N–P2O5–K2O (80:60:40 kg ha−1) and control treatments. During 2008–2009 year, yield attributes and rice yield were greater in NPK plots as compared to the green-leaf manured ones. However, in the third year, green leaf manuring (except that of Alnus) surpassed even the recommended N–P2O5–K2O treatment in terms of dry matter production and yield; better response was however observed with Erythrina. The soil available N after final harvest increased by ca. 14–20 % in Alnus and Erythrina treated plots as compared to the control. Over all, it could be said that management of plant residues can have long-term implications apart from the desired maintenance of soil organic matter and improving crop yield.