Since organic matter (OM) is known to maintain soil aggregate stability, the addition of crop residues often improves soil structure and aggregation. Crop residues and tillage management can also affect the leaching of the nutrients, which may pollute the groundwater or surface waters.

Dr Senthilmurgan Palanisamy thank you for your contribution to the discussion

An abundance of C and other nutrients are returned to the soil through decomposition of crop residues and biological nutrient cycling. Since organic matter (OM) is known to maintain soil aggregate stability, the addition of crop residues often improves soil structure and aggregation. Thus, crop residues improve the soil aggregate stability during their decomposition by soil bacteria and fungi. However, the more advanced the decomposition stage, the lower the microbial activity and aggregate stability. Crop residue management through conservation agriculture can improve soil productivity and crop production by maintaining SOM levels. Two significant advantages of surface-residue management are increased OM near the soil surface and enhanced nutrient cycling and retention. The impact of crop residue on soil water retention has been documented. Crop residues improve soil water storage by increasing infiltration thereby reducing runoff loss as well as evaporation loss. Crop residues, especially when left upright, also play a critical role in trapping and keeping more snow in the field.The rate that crop residues decay when left standing in the field or when tilled into the soil is affected by: soil water content, soil temperature, soil nutrient status, soil microbial biomass, and soil aeration. Soil aggregate stability is the ability of a soil to regulate the movement and storage of air and water throughout the soil profile. The profile is determined by the mix of sand, silt and clay particles. The more stable the soil's aggregates, the more productive the soil. Crop residue is an effective material that can minimize the erosion of soil by wind and water. Residues reduce the forces of wind and water that would otherwise act upon loose particles at the soil surface. Residues also provide thermal protection to plants from winter temperature extremes.