Covercropping
In Thanjavur, which is located in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, the primary agricultural focus has traditionally been on rice cultivation due to the region's deltaic nature. However, cover crops are used to improve soil fertility, fix atmospheric nitrogen, suppress weeds, and manage soil moisture, among other benefits. Here are some of the cover crops that are commonly used in Tanjore and other parts of Tamil Nadu:
Green Gram (Mung bean): (Vigna radiata)
Fixes nitrogen and improves soil structure.
Black Gram (Urad bean): (Vigna mungo)
Often rotated with rice to fix nitrogen and add organic matter to the soil.
Cowpea: (Vigna unguiculata)
Helps in nitrogen fixation and soil erosion control.
Horse Gram: (Macrotyloma uniflorum)
Tolerant to drought conditions and used for soil fertility.
Sunhemp: (Crotalaria juncea)
A quick-growing crop known for its ability to fix nitrogen and improve soil structure.
Daincha: (Sesbania aculeata or Sesbania bispinosa)
Known for its ability to fix a significant amount of nitrogen. It's often incorporated into the soil as green manure.
Sesbania rostrata:
Another green manure crop known for nitrogen fixation.
Cluster Beans (Guar): (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)
Used both as a vegetable and for improving soil conditions.
Pigeon Pea (Red gram/Toor dal): (Cajanus cajan)
While it's primarily grown as a pulse crop, it can act as a cover crop by improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
It's essential to note that the choice of cover crops can depend on various factors, including the main crop being cultivated, soil health, water availability, and specific agronomic challenges faced in a given season or year. Furthermore, local agricultural extensions or experts would have the most updated and region-specific recommendations for cover crops.