Returning crop residues to soil can improve soil physical properties by increasing soil moisture content, decreasing bulk density, and increasing total porosity and aggregate stability. Incorporating crop residue with tillage practices have advantage through adding organic matter and carbon to the soil that are preconditions for the better physical, biological as well as for chemical properties. Allowance of crop residue to the soil surface reduces its bulk density and compaction. Since tillage fractures the soil, it disrupts soil structure, accelerating surface runoff and soil erosion. Tillage also reduces crop residue, which help cushion the force of pounding raindrops. Without crop residue, soil particles become more easily dislodged, being moved or 'splashed' away. 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. Tillage and residue management practices significantly alter enzyme activity in soil in diverse cropping systems. Reduction in the intensity of tillage and residue incorporation can substantially increase enzyme activity in soil which is an indication of better soil quality and sustainability of any cropping system. Usually, the bulk density of tilled soils decreases while the tillage implement compacts the soil underneath, creating, after repeated tillage operations, a plough layer that restricts water flow and root penetration. Crop diversification has great potential in improving yield, reducing the cost of cultivation and finally increase the net income realized by the farmers. Agricultural diversification occurs when more species, plant varieties or animal breeds are added to a given farm or farming community and this may include landscape diversification different crops and cropping systems interspersed in space and time.

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. Incorporating crop residue with tillage practices have advantage through adding organic matter and carbon to the soil that are preconditions for the better physical, biological as well as for chemical properties. Allowance of crop residue to the soil surface reduces its bulk density and compaction. Returning crop residues to soil can improve soil physical properties by increasing soil moisture content, decreasing bulk density, and increasing total porosity and aggregate stability. Since tillage fractures the soil, it disrupts soil structure, accelerating surface runoff and soil erosion. Tillage also reduces crop residue, which help cushion the force of pounding raindrops. Without crop residue, soil particles become more easily dislodged, being moved or 'splashed' away. Usually, the bulk density of tilled soils decreases while the tillage implement compacts the soil underneath, creating, after repeated tillage operations, a plough layer that restricts water flow and root penetration.

Tillage and residue management practices significantly alter enzyme activity in soil in diverse cropping systems. Reduction in the intensity of tillage and residue incorporation can substantially increase enzyme activity in soil which is an indication of better soil quality and sustainability of any cropping system. Leaving crop residue on the soil surface improves nutrient cycling and, ultimately, soil quality that will increase and sustain soil productivity. Through conservation practices that include balanced residue management and soil fertility, environmental quality can be substantially enhanced. Crop residues can improve soil structure, increase organic matter content in the soil, reduce evaporation, and help fix CO2 in the soil. Good residue management practices on agricultural lands have many positive impacts on soil quality. Besides, crop residues can be used in biofuel production. Conventional farming in the NCP uses intensive tillage, and crop residue is removed or burned. These farming practices cause soil deterioration, unstable crop yields, and some environmental problems. Incorporating crop residue with tillage practices have advantage through adding organic matter and carbon to the soil that are preconditions for the better physical, biological as well as for chemical properties. Allowance of crop residue to the soil surface reduces its bulk density and compaction. The main adverse effects of crop residue burning include the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contributes to the global warming, increased levels of particulate matter (PM) and smog that cause health hazards, loss of biodiversity of agricultural lands, and the deterioration of soil fertility. Crop residues are primarily used as bedding material for animals, livestock feed, soil mulching, bio-gas generation, bio-manure/compost, thatching for rural homes, mushroom cultivation, biomass energy production, fuel for domestic and industrial use, etc. More diverse rotation systems: used 56% less fossil fuels; generated 54% fewer greenhouse gas emissions; and had monetized damages from greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants 42% lower than the conventional cropping system. By implementing crop rotation, the use of nitrogen fertilizer is drastically reduced considerably lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The global warming potential of nitrous oxide is much higher than that of carbon dioxide. Crop rotation helps return nutrients to the soil without synthetic inputs. The practice also works to interrupt pest and disease cycles, improve soil health by increasing biomass from different crops' root structures, and increase biodiversity on the farm.