GREEN MANURE: SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

Green manure is a sustainable practice that promotes soil conservation and fertility enhancement by using cover crops to add organic matter and essential nutrients. This review article discusses the benefits of green manure, including the increase in organic matter, biological nitrogen fixation, soil structure improvement, and erosion control. This article highlights the main advantages of this technique, such as reducing erosion, improving water retention, controlling pests and invasive plants, and decreasing nutrient leaching. It also explores the positive impacts on ecological balance and agricultural sustainability, making green manure a fundamental strategy for more resilient and efficient production systems.It is concluded that green manure reduces the need for chemical inputs, benefiting small farmers and making production more economical and sustainable. Green manure also contributes to increased biodiversity by creating habitats for beneficial organisms such as earthworms and pollinating insects, which help improve soil health and crop productivity. Additionally, this practice can mitigate the environmental impact caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizers, which often leads to water body contamination and soil degradation.With the growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices, green manure is becoming a crucial tool for regenerative agriculture, promoting the recovery of degraded soils and encouraging a more harmonious approach between agricultural production and the environment.