Dhabolkar method of Green manuring

This method was developed by Sri Dabholkar of Maharashtra to convert unproductive lands.
In this method, 20-25 kg of mixed seed from 5 categories (4 crops in each category i.e total 20-21 crops ) mentioned below are sown:

1. Cereals (Coarse cereals and millets)
2. Pulses (Black gram, Green gram, Chickpea, Bean)
3. Oilseeds (Sesame, Groundnut, Sunflower, Castor)
4. Legumes (Sesbania, Sunhemp, Horse gram etc)
5. Spices (Mustard, Coriander, Methi, Ajwain)

In this mix, pulses, oilseeds, cereals/millets, green manure crop seeds are added @ 6kg each where as spices are added @ ½ kg each. After 40-45 days of sowing, the entire biomass is incorporated into the soil. This has to be repeated two more times for best results. In this way, the top soil gets replenished with all plant nutrients and also help in build up of humus. It is essential that enough moisture is ensured for the growth and decomposition of green manure crops.

Advantages of Dabholkar method of green manuring over conventional green manuring

Conventional green manuring recommends the growth of green manure crop up till the end of its vegetative growth and then to be incorporated. In such biomass, the plant parts are succulent and decompose immediately upon incorporation. But for humus to form in the long run, the biomass to be used should be well matured with lignin and pectin contents. Dabholkar method recommends the incorporation of these green manure plants at the completion of their life cycles which have high lignin and pectin contents.

Conventional green manuring focuses on plants that have high nutrient content especially in terms of nitrogen. But Dabholkar method focuses on plants that have microbial association with diverse organisms at their root zones. Secondly, choosing several plants that are rich in certain nutrients also help different nutrients to be built up in the soil.