In the 1980s and 1990s, green manure/cover crop (GMCC) systems became a popular agricultural technology in research and development efforts for smallholder tropical and subtropical farmers. However, few syntheses of these experiences have been conducted. This volume of case studies contributes to bridging this gap by reviewing field-level experiences with these systems. Discussion of the strengths and shortcomings of the systems and efforts is frank, and the goal is to learn from these experiences to benefit future efforts.
Preface.- Acknowledgements; The Editors.- Photo Section.- Introduction; The Editors.- Use of Green Manure/Cover Crops and Conservation Tillage in Santa Catarina, Brazil.- Slash-and-Mulch System: Frijol Tapado in Costa Rica.- Use by Hillside Farmers of Northern Honduras.- Cultivating Maize with Mucuna in the Los Tuxtlas Region of South-eastern Veracruz, Mexico.- Improved Fallows in Eastern Zambia.- Best-Bet Legumes for Smallholder Maize-based Cropping Systems of Malawi.- Promotion of Marejea Cultivation in the Ruvuma Region of Tanzania: Experiences of the Catholic Missionaries at Peramiho Mission Centre; C.K.K. Gachene.- Forage Production Systems for Dairy Production in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya; D.M.G.- Green Manure/Cover Crop Technology in Eastern and Central Uganda: Development and Dissemination; C.K.K. Gachene and C.S. Wortmann.- Integrating Mucuna in the Maize-Based Systems of Southern Benin.- Sesbania rostrata in Rice-Based Farming Systems of Northern Thailand.- Survey of Green Manure/Cover Crop Systems of Smallholder Farmers in the Tropics.- Learning from the Case Studies; The Editors.- Future Perspectives; The Editors.- Acronyms and Abbreviations Used.