The influence of green manuring on the agrophysical properties of soil under organic farming conditions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33730/2310-4678.4.2025.346184

Keywords:

green manure crops, soil fertility, degradation, water-holding capacity, soil bulk density, water balance, soil organic matter, biomass

Abstract

The article considers the relevant issue of using green manuring as an ecologically safe method for increasing soil fertility under organic farming conditions. The primary focus is on the role of green manure crops (peas, spring vetch, oil radish, yellow mustard, and milk thistle) as a key agrotechnical practice for improving the agrophysical properties of the soil. The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of green manure crops on the formation of soil agrophysical properties, specifically its bulk density and water-holding capacity, within organic farming systems. It has been experimentally proven that the use of green manures effectively prevents soil compaction. On plots with green manure crops, soil density is maintained within the range of 1.13–1.17 g/cm3, whereas on the control plot (black fallow), it increases to 1.19 g/cm3. After incorporation into the soil, the biomass leads to a reduction in density to optimal values of 1.11–1.12 g/cm3 on plots featuring spring vetch, peas, milk thistle, and oil radish. The effectiveness of green manuring in restoring the soil’s water balance has been confirmed. Productive moisture losses on plots with green manure crops are significantly lower (38.9–45.6%) compared to the control (black fallow) (51.8%), enabling the restoration of moisture reserves to 189–195 mm before sowing the main crop in the rotation — winter wheat. Oil radish and milk thistle demonstrated the best results regarding density stabilization and moisture conservation. It is substantiated that milk thistle is a promising green manure crop; however, its implementation requires careful planning due to certain drawbacks, such as slow initial development, which may lead to significant weed competition during the early stages of vegetation, and the high cost of seeds. The obtained data justify the role of green manuring in preserving and increasing soil fertility and provide a basis for developing scientific and practical recommendations for efficient organic farming. The research confirms the necessity of utilizing green manuring as a vital element of sustainable agricultural production, particularly in the context of climate change and limited water resources.

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Published

2025-11-14

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No. 4 (2025)

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Articles

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