Double Your Yield with Dhaincha Cultivation for Green Manure, A Guide for Farmers on Khetivyapar

In today's agricultural landscape, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers is depleting soil fertility, which directly impacts crop yields. Instead of increasing, crop yields are declining due to reduced organic carbon levels in the soil. By incorporating green manure crops like Dhaincha into their farming practices, farmers can enhance soil fertility and achieve higher yields.

What is Dhaincha Green Manure:

Green manure crops are grown primarily to enrich the soil with nutrients and organic matter. These crops are incorporated into the soil at the seedling stage using a rotavator, which enhances the decomposition process and improves the soil’s organic properties. This process supplies essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients to the soil.

Preparing Green Manure from Dhaincha:

During the Kharif season, fields often remain fallow. Farmers can cultivate Dhaincha, Sunn hemp, black gram, green gram, cowpea, and other crops to prepare green manure. Dhaincha is particularly effective at rapidly fixing nitrogen in the soil due to the symbiotic bacteria in its stem that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a stable form in the soil. Green manure from Dhaincha enriches the soil with 100-120 kg of nitrogen, 18-20 kg of phosphorus, and 12-15 kg of potassium per hectare, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers for subsequent crops. Additionally, Dhaincha produces organic acids that make saline and alkaline soils more fertile. Its roots aerate the soil and increase organic carbon content, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms and improving nutrient availability.

How to Prepare Green Manure from Dhaincha:

To maintain balanced soil nutrients, cultivating Dhaincha is a good option. It is planted when fields are fallow and, after 45 to 50 days, plowed back into the soil. This practice enhances the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties, preparing green manure for the next crop.

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When to Dhaincha Cultivate: The ideal time for sowing Dhaincha is from the last week of May to mid-June. After light irrigation and field plowing, seeds are broadcast and covered with a light harrowing. For green manure, 20-25 kg of Dhaincha seeds per hectare are required, with an optimal plant spacing of 40-50 cm.

Soil and Climate for Dhaincha Cultivation: Dhaincha thrives best in black loamy soil but can be grown in all types of land for green manure. The plant can grow well even in waterlogged conditions and does not require specific climatic conditions. However, it is best sown during the Kharif season for maximum yield. Dhaincha is resilient to various weather conditions, requiring only normal temperatures for germination, and can develop at any temperature thereafter.

Advanced Varieties of Dhaincha:

1. Punjabi Dhaincha: Known for its rapid growth.
2. Pant Dhaincha: Considered the best variety for green manure.
3. Hisar Dhaincha: Suitable for waterlogged areas.
4. C & D 137: Ideal for alkaline soils.

Profitability of Green Manure from Dhaincha: Using Dhaincha for green manure reduces weed growth, minimizing the need for weeding and herbicide application, which lowers cultivation costs and doubles profits. Dhaincha can yield approximately 20-25 tons per acre, with seeds selling for around ₹40-50 per kg in the market, making it highly beneficial for farmers.

Benefits of Green Manure from Dhaincha: Incorporating green manure from Dhaincha into fields reduces the need for weeding and herbicide application. Dhaincha leaves are rich in nitrogen, protecting crops from pests and diseases. It enhances soil fertility and maintains groundwater levels, reducing the need for frequent irrigation. This practice not only increases crop yields but also improves soil health.
By adopting Dhaincha green manure, farmers can achieve higher productivity, reduce costs, and ensure sustainable farming practices.