Zöldtrágya

Zöldtrágya, also known as green manure, refers to crops that are grown specifically to be incorporated into the soil while they are still green. This practice is a natural way to improve soil fertility and structure. The plants are typically sown and then tilled into the ground before they go to seed. This decomposition process releases nutrients back into the soil, making them available for subsequent crops.

Commonly used plants for green manure include legumes such as clover, vetch, and alfalfa, as well as non-leguminous plants like rye, oats, and buckwheat. Legumes are particularly valuable because they have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, thus enriching the soil with this essential nutrient.

Beyond nutrient enrichment, green manure crops help to improve soil structure by adding organic matter. This organic matter enhances water retention, aeration, and drainage. They can also help to suppress weeds by outcompeting them for resources and light, and some species can help to break up compacted soil layers. The practice of green manuring is a sustainable agricultural technique that reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and contributes to a healthier soil ecosystem.