Short-Term Effects of Legume Green Manures on Soil Chemical Properties in a Calcareous Mediterranean Soil

Green manuring is widely used to develop soil fertility, yet its short-term influence on soil properties in calcareous Mediterranean soils is not fully understood. This study investigated the short-term effects of four legume green manure species—chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), forage pea (Pisum sativum L.), and vetch (Vicia sativa L.)— on selected soil chemical properties under field conditions. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized complete block design. After plant development was complete, all above-ground and below-ground biomass was incorporated into the soil. Soil sampling was performed after approximately six months of decomposition. Soil pH, total salt, organic matter, total N, available P and K, and selected microelements were analyzed. No statistically significant differences were found among legume species in any of the measured soil chemical parameters (p>0.05). Soil pH ranged from 7.34 to 7.41, and total salt remained at 0.010% in all treatments. Organic matter (1.56–1.72%) and total N (0.083–0.093%) showed only small numerical differences. Although available P and K concentrations showed slight differences among treatments, these differences were not statistically significant. No significant changes were observed in the concentrations of DTPA-extractable Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn. Although no statistically significant differences were found among the four legume species in the short term, no decrease in soil chemical parameters was observed during a single growing season. Values after incorporation into the soil remained within similar ranges to those measured before application.