MP Board · Class 9 · Science · Improvement in Food ResourcesWhat is green manure? How is it prepared and how does it enrich the agricultural soil?

Green manure is a type of natural organic fertilizer created by growing specific quick-growing plants, such as sunn hemp, guar, or cowpea, and then ploughing them back into the soil before sowing main crop seeds. As these green plants decompose in the soil, they enrich it with essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. Furthermore, green manure significantly improves soil structure, enhances water retention capacity, adds organic humus, and promotes beneficial microbial activity, leading to sustained soil health and higher crop yield.