Zero tillage boosts soil nutrients, revolutionizing pearlmillet-wheat cropping systems.
The study looked at how different tillage methods affect the nutrients in soil used for growing pearlmillet and wheat in Haryana. They compared zero tillage (no plowing) with conventional tillage (plowing). Results showed that soil under zero tillage had more organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and micronutrients compared to conventional tillage. Potassium was higher in conventional tillage soil. Zinc, iron, and manganese were higher in zero tillage soil, while copper was higher in conventional tillage soil. Soils with more manure and crop residues had higher nutrient levels. No tillage increased organic carbon, which was linked to more available nutrients in the soil.