Abstract
Cropping leguminous for use as green manure is a promising alternative to the traditional fertilization. Two native species (Clitoria fairchildiana and Inga edulis) and two exotic (Leucaena leucocephala and Cajanus cajan) were cultivated in an Argisol, with rice in a alley cropping system. It was evaluated the establishment of the leguminous, the characteristics of this root system, biomass production and supply of N and P. Significant differences were observed in the establishment of the leguminous. Clitoria fairchildiana produced the largest dry mass (12.4 t ha-1). The four species presented low density of roots in the 0-60 cm soil layer (18.9%), indicating a low potential for competition with the intercropped culture.
Key words:
green manure; alley cropping; agroforestry system