Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in kharif, rabi and summer seasons of 1993 - 94 in the University Experiment Farm at Annamalainagar to assess the seasonal influence on nodulation, biomass production and nitrogen accumulation of three green manures viz.. Sesbania rostrata, S. aculeata and Crotalaria juncea. The different seasons had significant influence on the productivity of green manures, kharif season crops performed better followed by summer and rabi season crops. The S. rostrata green manure produced higher green biomass (27.85 t ha') and accumulated higher nitrogen (247 kg ha) with abundant stem nodules during Aharif season. The S. aculeata green manure was next best and recorded more root nodules. The C. juncea green manure produced lower green biomass and accumulated lesser nitrogen in the soil.

Keywords: Green manures, Seasons, Biomass production, Nodulation, Nitrogen accumulation