Long-term consequences of legumes in rice-wheat cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Abstract

The region of the Indo-Gangetic Plain emerged as a highly productive rice-wheat system with the advent of high-yielding varieties of both the crops and application of irrigation and large amounts of inorganic fertilizers. Recent studies have revealed difficulties in sustaining the productivity of this system vis-a-vis soil quality. These studies have also emphasized the need to explore possibilities of application of organic manures and inclusion of grain and green manure legumes as components of the system, besides application of necessary doses of inorganic fertilizers. This review mainly encompasses long-term research findings on inclusion of either grain legumes and their crop residues or legume green manures to sustain rice-wheat system productivity and maintain soil quality