Biomass and Nutrient Accumulation of Green Manure Species in Humid Tropical Subsistence Cropping Systems of Papua New Guinea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53550/ijsc.v53.i2.197Keywords:
Nitrogen fixation, Subsistence farming, Sustainable agriculture, Weed suppressionAbstract
This study aimed to identify leguminous green manure species with strong adaptability, high nutrient accumulation, and effective weed suppression for subsistence farming in Papua New Guinea. It also examined the optimal termination age of 45 and 65 days after planting (DAP) for lablab, velvet bean, calapo, centro, and puero. The agronomic performance was compared to natural vegetation in a field experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Velvet bean produced the highest aerial dry matter (11.2 t ha-1), leading to significantly greater accumulation of the primary nutrients nitrogen (374 kg ha-1), phosphorus (61 kg ha-1), and potassium (119 kg ha-1) within 65 days. The green manure crops evaluated derived 21.8%–87.7% of their N from atmospheric fixation. Within 28 DAP, velvet bean and lablab suppressed weed growth by 87% and 53%, respectively. Termination age significantly affected the nutrient accumulation in velvet bean, suggesting 65 DAP could be ideal for soil incorporation, whereas lablab can be terminated at 45 DAP. Our findings suggest that integrating velvet bean and lablab in improved fallow systems could enhance soil fertility and weed management in humid tropical regions.
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