Background: Sustainable agricultural practices are essential for maintaining soil health and ensuring long-term food security. Crop rotation and conservation tillage practices play crucial roles in enhancing soil nutrient dynamics and overall soil quality.
Objective: This study investigated the effects of different crop rotation systems and conservation practices on soil nutrient availability, microbial activity, and organic matter content over a five-year period.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four treatments: continuous monoculture (CM), two-year rotation (2YR), four-year rotation (4YR), and conservation tillage with cover crops (CTCC). Soil samples were analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic carbon, pH, and microbial biomass at 15 cm and 30 cm depths.
Results: The 4YR system showed the highest improvement in soil organic carbon (SOC) content, increasing by 23.4% compared to CM. Nitrogen availability increased significantly (p<0.05) in rotation systems, with 4YR showing 31% higher total N than CM. Phosphorus and potassium levels were maintained more effectively in rotation systems. Microbial biomass carbon increased by 45% in CTCC treatment compared to conventional tillage.
Conclusion: Crop rotation and conservation practices significantly enhance soil nutrient dynamics, with longer rotation cycles providing greater benefits for soil health and nutrient availability.