Journal of Agronomy and Field Innovations

Background: Continuous cereal cultivation in maize–wheat systems, coupled with the widespread practice of residue burning, has accelerated the depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC) and micronutrient reserves across intensively cropped regions, threatening long-term productivity and environmental quality.
Objective: This study evaluated the effects of crop residue recycling on soil fertility indicators and grain yield of maize and wheat under field conditions.
Methods: A two-year field trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design with five residue-management treatments replicated thrice. Soil samples (0–15 cm) were analyzed for organic carbon, available N, P, K, microbial biomass carbon, bulk density and water-holding capacity; grain yields were recorded at harvest and data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.
Results: Full residue incorporation combined with recommended NPK (T3) increased SOC by 43.8%, available N by 30.8% and maize and wheat yields by 43.6% and 43.8%, respectively, over the no-residue control (p ≤ 0.05), with parallel improvements in microbial biomass carbon and water-holding capacity.
Conclusion: Crop residue recycling, particularly when integrated with balanced fertilization, substantially improves soil fertility and cropping-system productivity, offering a viable alternative to residue burning for sustainable intensification.