What are the disadvantages of a legume green manure crop?
There are also disadvantages to using legume green manure crops, which include: 1. Moisture use – where moisture is limiting, green manure crops can utilize moisture that may otherwise be conserved during fallow. If moisture is not limiting, moisture uptake by green manure crops is less than moisture uptake in crops grown to maturity. 2. Establishment costs – a marketable crop is not achieved with green manure crops. Cost of producing a green manure crop should not exceed potential soil and N benefits. 3. Rotation limitations – a green manure crop is another legume in the crop rotation. To minimize disease problems, the use of other legume crops for grain production may need to be restricted.
