Integrative Approaches to Enhance Soil Quality and Crop Performance Through Residue Management and Nitrogen Fertilization in Diverse Cropping Rotations

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of wheat residue management and nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil properties and crop yields in wheat-maize and wheat-mungbean cropping systems. The research aims to determine the influence of different levels of residue retention and N application influence soil organic carbon, nutrient content, available water, and aggregate stability, crop performance. Field experiments were conducted during two growing seasons in the Shabab region (Iran). Three wheat residue management methods (no removal, 50% removal, and 100% removal) and four N fertilization rates (100%, 50%, 25%, and 0% of the conventional application) were evaluated. Soil properties and crop yields were assessed, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to determine the relationships between treatments and soil health indicators. PCA demonstrated a strong model fit (KMO=0.919, R2=0.987), explaining 83% of the total variance in soil quality. Mungbean systems significantly increased soil nutrient levels (p<0.01) compared with maize. Residue retention and higher N levels improved the soil structure and fertility. Full wheat residue retention combined with optimal N fertilization enhanced biological and grain yields, with models explaining 98.2% and 94.4% variance, respectively, 97.8% for maize and 84.2% for mungbean. Significant crop system×residue interactions (p=0.012) underscore integrated management importance for sustainable productivity. of the total variance in soil quality of the total variance in soil quality Integrating crop residue management with appropriate N fertilization enhances soil health and crop productivity. These findings highlight the importance of sustainable soil fertility management practices to promote long-term agricultural sustainability while mitigating environmental risks.