Residue retention boosts soil fertility and crop productivity through microbial biomass.
The study looked at how different farming methods affect soil health and fertility in wheat fields. By keeping crop residues in the soil, the researchers found that soil temperature increased, leading to more soil microbes and better soil quality. This helped turn leftover plant material into nutrients for the soil, improving overall productivity. Soil microbial biomass can be used as a measure of soil health and productivity.