Recycling of Crop Residues for Sustainable Soil Health Management: A Review
Sunil Kumar Dadhich
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan-303329, India.
Govind Kumar Yadav *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan-303329, India.
Kamlesh Yadav
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT-313004, India.
Chiranjeev Kumawat
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan-303329, India.
Mahesh Kumar Munalia
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan-303329, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Burning of crop residues have become a challenging issue for scientist’s community as well as policy makers worldwide as it directly affects environment, soil health and the productivity of crops. Microbial mediated recycling of crop residues into an amorphous dark brown to black colloidal humus like substance under conditions of optimum temperature, moisture and aeration is need of the hour. Crop residue recycling increases sequestration of organic carbon in soil which ultimately leads to improve soil physical, chemical and biological health. Organic carbon acts as a reservoir for nutrients, needed in crop production. Crop residue management recycling is a cost-effective option for minimizing agriculture's input with maximizing output. Besides supplying nutrients to the current crop, their residual effects on succeeding crops in the system are also important. This review emphasizes on crop residue recycling by different techniques. This review paper maybe helpful to the policy makers and researchers.
Keywords: Crop residues, composting, nutrients, organic carbon and management