Breathing life into degraded soils: the natural magic of Rhizobium and green leaf manures for balanced crop nutrition

I.Venkata Reddy, K. Achuta Raju, PN. Siva Prasad, N. Rajasekhar, M. Raja Narasimha, R. Prabhavathi and K. Lakshmi Kala

Abstract

The advent of modern intensive agriculture dramatically increased global food production but simultaneously triggered widespread ecological deterioration, compromising soil organic matter and stifling indigenous microbial populations. To counteract these detrimental impacts while ensuring long-term food security, contemporary agricultural paradigms must embrace Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). This article explores how biofertilizers and green leaf manures act as foundational pillars of INM. By reintroducing beneficial microbial consortia and vital plant-derived organic matter into degraded soils, these environmentally benign amendments rehabilitate soil physicochemical and biological profiles. The synergistic utilization of microbial inoculants and green manuring orchestrates a balanced fertilization regime, optimizing the uptake of chemical inputs, fortifying crop resilience and facilitating sustainable agrarian practices without further exhausting natural resources.