Conservation Tillage Practices on GHG Emissions, Soil Health and Overall Agricultural Sustainability

Abstract

Tillage practices are essential in agriculture for soil preparation, residue management and weed control, significantly influencing soil health and productivity. Historically evolving from manual tools to mechanised methods, tillage impacts soil structure, water and nutrient cycles. This review evaluates conventional, reduced and no-till systems concerning their effects on greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, N2O, CH4), soil health and agricultural sustainability. Conventional tillage intensifies CO2 emissions through soil disturbance and organic matter decomposition, while reduced and no-till systems decrease CO2 and mitigate N2O and CH4 emissions. Moreover, no-till enhances water retention, improving drought resilience and sustainable water management. Conservation tillage practices emerge as pivotal strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing agricultural sustainability through improved soil health and water retention.