Increasing the Fertility and Productivity of Marginal Land by Planting Leguminous Plants

Abstract

Background: Marginal land is dry land which has limited nutrient content so it has relatively low productivity. The development of marginal land use can be optimized with an ecosystem approach strategy through improving soil fertility. Planting leguminous plant species that can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere can increase soil fertility. Methods: This research was conducted to determine the ability of plants (A = Corn; B = Peanuts; C = Green Beans; D = Soybeans) to increase soil fertility and plant productivity. The experiment was designed in a randomized block design consisting of four treatments, each treatment was repeated four times. Soil fertility analysis was carried out before planting (pH, Carbon (%), Nitogen (%) and C/N ) and after planting (pH, Carbon (%), Nitogen (%) and C/N). Productivity (straw (kg/ha), seeds (kg/ha) and effective nodules. Results: The experimental results showed that the planting of legumes had a significant effect on increasing soil fertility and forage productivity, nodulation but lower legume seed production compared to maize