Behavior of different plant species to be used as green manures under the conditions of Cuba

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Margarita García

Abstract

During 1992-1994 two field experiments were
carried out on a Compacted Red Ferralitic soil, evaluating a
collection formed by 19 plant species sown in two 1992-1993
seasons: the rainy (May-July) and poorly rainy (October-
December). Field treatments were arranged according to a
randomized block design with three replicates. Results showed
that most species were better adapted to Cuban rainy
conditions. The species with the best behavior to be used as
green manures under the rainy conditions were: Crotalaria
juncea, Sorghum vulgare, Sesbania rostrata, Canavalia
ensiformis y Mucuna aterrimum, making high accumulations
of phytomass and nutrients, ranging from 20-67 t.ha-1 green
phytomass 3.0-11.0 t.ha-1 dry phytomass and 150-255 kg.ha-1 N;
in the poorly rainy period, accumulations were from two to six
times lower. The following species showed a notable behavior:
Phaseolus helvolus, Canavalia ensiformis, Vigna radiata and
Crotalaria juncea. The best plant development was observed
when they were grown in May-August period whereas
October-December sowings showed the worst behavior of
the year.

Article Details

How to Cite
García, M. (2013). Behavior of different plant species to be used as green manures under the conditions of Cuba. Cultivos Tropicales, 22(4), 11–16. Retrieved from https://ediciones.inca.edu.cu/index.php/ediciones/article/view/682
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Original Article