Soil quality under tillage and residue management in jute (Corchorus spp.) based cropping systems of indo-gangetic plains

Conservation agriculture (CA) is based on principles of minimum soil disturbance through zero or minimum tillage operations, residue retention on soil surface and crop diversification which not only improves healthy functioning of soil but also enhances nutrient availability, its biological quality and aggregate formation. On the other hand, conventional tillage (CT) practices characterized by excessive tillage, residue removal and monoculture are often associated with the degradation of soil mainly in terms of depletion of Soil Organi arbon (SOC), sub-soil compaction and loss of biodiversity.