Himanshu Tiwari

Conservation tillage and green manuring are key agroecological practices that significantly contribute to the sustainability of soil resources in the Indo-Gangetic plains—an intensively cultivated region crucial for food production. Long-term implementation of conservation tillage (minimal or zero tillage) reduces soil disturbance, preserves soil structure, and enhances water infiltration, thereby reducing erosion and losses of organic matter. These practices directly contribute to increased carbon sequestration, as organic matter is better retained in the surface soil layers.

Green manuring, through the incorporation of plant biomass (typically legumes), enriches the soil with organic matter and nitrogen, which in turn stimulates soil microbial activity, including beneficial bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. The increase in microbial biomass and enzymatic activity enhances nutrient mineralization and humus stabilization, contributing to long-term improvements in soil fertility.

Regarding the reclamation of sodic soils, these practices support both physical and chemical rehabilitation—green manure improves soil structure, increases water retention, and reduces compaction, while enhanced microbial activity facilitates the breakdown of sodium bonds and restores cation balance. When combined with gypsum or organic amendments, these practices can significantly accelerate the reclamation process of sodic soils. The combined application of conservation tillage and green manuring has multiple long-term positive effects on carbon sequestration, soil biological activity, and the rehabilitation of degraded (sodic) soils in the Indo-Gangetic plains. These practices are essential for agricultural adaptation to climate change and for sustainable management of soil resources in this agroecologically sensitive region.