Enhancing efficiency of fertilizer N use in rice–wheat systems of Indo-Gangetic Plains by intercropping Sesbania aculeata in direct seeded upland rice for green manuring

A field experiment was conducted on rice–wheat system at Modipuram, India in Typic Ustochrept. Sesbania was intercropping in direct seeded rice for green manuring with 3 levels of Urea N (i.e., O, 60, 120 and 180 Kg N ha−1). Sesbania was turned in the soil after 30 days of sowing. Grain yields of rice and wheat were significantly greater in plots receiving green manuring than that without green manuring. In general, advantages of green manuring were greater at low levels of N than at higher levels, and the residual effect of green manuring on succeeding wheat was very small.