| Summary: | The effect of legume cover crop on soil characteristic was studied to evaluate the possibility of legume cover crop (LCC) as soil amelioration for the next generation of Gmelina arborea Roxb. plantation forest.
Three species of LCC: Crotalaria anagyroides (CA), Mucuna chochuchinensis (MC) and Calopogoniurn caeruleum (CC) were planted at the former field of G arborea plantation forest with I plot for control. Above and belowground biomass were studied 4 months after planting (MAP), and soils were sampled 6 months after planting for laboratory analysis.
CA is not a creeping plant and has a good suitability to grow well and fast to flower. The growth rate of MC was relatively high and could cover soil surface fastly. The initial growth rate of CC was relatively slow, but finally could cover soil surface well, thick and remain in a long time. Biomass in CA was 2.9 Mg ha', MC was 2.6 Mg ha-' and CC was 2.1 Mg ha-1. The organic matter and nutrient contents in the total biomass of LCC that could be supplied to the soil were 1,160-1,680 kg ha-' for C
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