Step 1: Understanding green manure.
Green manure refers to plants that are grown primarily to be incorporated into the soil to improve its quality. These plants decompose and add organic matter to the soil, which helps in enhancing soil structure, increasing microbial activity, and improving soil fertility.
Step 2: How green manure affects soil.
Green manure typically helps in decreasing the acidity of the soil (i.e., increasing its pH), especially when plants like legumes are used. The decomposition of green manure adds nutrients like nitrogen to the soil, which helps neutralize acidity.
Step 3: Comparison with other options.
- (A) Increases alkalinity of the soil: Incorrect. Green manure does not typically increase the alkalinity of the soil; rather, it helps to decrease acidity.
- (B) Decreases alkalinity of the soil: Incorrect. Green manure does not decrease alkalinity; it has a neutralizing effect on acidity.
- (C) Increases acidity of the soil: Incorrect. Green manure generally decreases the acidity of the soil, not increases it.
- (D) Decreases acidity of the soil: Correct. Green manure helps to decrease the soil's acidity by improving its overall fertility and adding beneficial nutrients.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Therefore, the correct answer is
(D) Decreases acidity of the soil.
Final Answer:} Decreases acidity of the soil.