Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria L.) is a leguminous dye-producing crop adopted as a green manure (GM) by farmers and cultivated widely in the Northwestern provinces of Luzon, Philippines. Established at minimum cost as an intercrop with a range of food crops, indigo fits a unique niche in rainfed or partially irrigated rice-based cropping systems. The indigo cultivation systems practiced by farmers are described and analyzed, with emphasis on the utility of its noncompetitive growth habit at the early stages. Experimental results, which confirm farmer observations that indigo can be established at high density without affecting yield of dominant companion crops and may contribute 150-250 kg N/ha to a subsequent rice crop, are discussed. Estimated economic returns based on farmer experience are favorable. The limited availability of seed is the most important constraint to winter indigo adoption, as humid conditions at harvest can cause high seed crop losses in some years. Much greater public support for this farmer-developed, farmer-proven GM is strongly recommended.
Publication year
1994
Authors
Garrity, D.P.; Roberto T B; Crecencia C B; Pye T; Riaz M
Language
English
Keywords
farmers, green manures, rainfed farming, rice, herbaceous plants, indigifera tinctoria
