Effect of Legume Green Manure on Yield Increases of Three Major Crops in China: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The application of legume green manure (LGM) is a traditional and valuable practice for agroecosystem management. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the effect of LGM on the yields of three major grain crops in China under different cropping systems and environmental conditions based on 315 field trial datasets. LGM application increased the yield of the three major grain crops significantly by 12.60% compared to those under no LGM application, with wheat, maize, and rice yields increasing significantly by 9.49%, 16.70%, and 19.22%, respectively. In addition, yield increases were significant under crop rotation with grain crops but not under intercropping. The amount of LGM returned to the field (dry weight) at only 2000–3000 kg/ha and 3000–4000 kg/ha increased yield significantly by 12.32% and 11.94%, respectively. The greatest yield increases were observed when annual precipitation was higher than 600 mm, while annual average temperature was higher than 10 °C, and when soil organic matter content was 0–10 g/kg, with 19.64%, 14.11%, and 32.63% increases, respectively. All regions in China, excluding North China, had significant yield increases, with the largest yield increase, 27.12%, observed in Northeast China. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that LGM increases yield of all the three major grain crops in China. Additionally, the benefits were also observed under appropriate planting system, green manure biomass, and environmental factors.