Long-Term Conservation Tillage: Impacts on Soil Structure, Moisture, and Erosion: A Review
B RAJU
Agricultural College, Warangal- 506007, PJTAU, Telangana State, India.
J. Kamalakar
AICRP on IFS, C-NARE, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030, India.
B. Madavi
PJTAU, Regional agricultural research station Warangal- 506007, Telangana, India.
Anil Kumar *
School of Agriculture, Eklavya University Damoh, Madhya Pradesh-470661, India.
Naman Pathania
Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. YS Parmar UHF Nauni, Solan -173230, India.
Gurwinder Singh
School of Agricultural Sciences, Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology, Solan 173205, India.
B. Lal
Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Regional Research Centre, Bikaner- 334004, Rajasthan, India.
Priyanka Gautam
Agronomy, ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner- 334001, Rajasthan, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Conservation tillage has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional ploughing systems, aiming to enhance soil health, improve water-use efficiency, and reduce environmental degradation. Long-term adoption of conservation tillage practices such as zero tillage, minimum tillage, and residue retention has shown significant impacts on soil structure, moisture dynamics, and erosion control. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how long-term conservation tillage influences soil physical properties, hydrological processes, and erosion mechanisms. Results from global and regional studies indicate improved soil aggregation, reduced bulk density, enhanced infiltration, higher soil moisture storage, and substantial reduction in soil loss. The review highlights the potential of conservation tillage as a climate-smart practice and identifies research gaps for future studies.
Keywords: Conservation tillage, soil physical properties, soil erosion, bulk density