Effect of Legume Green Manure on Yield Increases of Three Major Crops in China: A Meta-Analysis

The application of legume green manure (LGM) is a traditional and valuable practice for agroecosystem management. In the present study, we conducted meta-analysis to explore effect LGM on yields three major grain crops in China under different cropping systems environmental conditions based 315 field trial datasets. increased yield significantly by 12.60% compared those no application, with wheat, maize, rice increasing 9.49%, 16.70%, 19.22%, respectively. addition, increases were significant crop rotation but not intercropping. amount returned (dry weight) at only 2000–3000 kg/ha 3000–4000 12.32% 11.94%, greatest observed when annual precipitation was higher than 600 mm, while average temperature 10 °C, soil organic matter content 0–10 g/kg, 19.64%, 14.11%, 32.63% increases, All regions China, excluding North had largest increase, 27.12%, Northeast China. results demonstrated that all Additionally, benefits also appropriate planting system, biomass, factors.