Reduced tillage boosts wheat and maize yields with soil nutrient improvements.
Conservation tillage methods were studied in wheat-maize cropping in North China Plain. Reduced/no-tillage with residue increased soil quality and nutrient levels at shallow depths. Residue returning further improved soil attributes compared to residue removal. Soil nutrient accumulation was linked to soil structure. Nitrogen was crucial for crop yields, with other nutrients playing indirect roles. Reduced tillage initially boosted wheat yield, but no-tillage led to a decrease. Maize yield remained consistent across tillage methods. Grain yields increased with higher soil fertility scores, especially with residue returning.