Summary
This field study evaluated conservation tillage and diversified cropping strategies for soil organic carbon restoration under organic farming in the Indian Himalayan region. Zero tillage achieved the highest SOC content (19.58 g kg⁻¹) and total carbon pool (25.24 Mg ha⁻¹) at 0–10 cm depth, whilst also improving soil structural properties through reduced bulk density and penetration resistance. The maize–black gram–buckwheat cropping system (CS2) produced superior carbon accumulation across soil depths, suggesting that combining zero tillage with legume-rich rotations offers an effective pathway for sustainable soil quality improvement and carbon sequestration in mountain agroecosystems.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in the Indian Himalayas and addresses tropical/subtropical mountain farming systems with distinct seasonal and climatic patterns. Findings may have limited direct transferability to United Kingdom temperate arable and pastoral systems, though the principles of reduced tillage for SOC conservation and legume integration are broadly relevant to UK organic farming policy and practice. UK context differs substantially in climate, soil types, crop portfolios, and existing soil carbon baselines; site-specific adaptation trials would be needed.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon content (g kg⁻¹), carbon pool (Mg ha⁻¹), bulk density (Mg m³), soil penetration resistance (MPa), active and passive carbon pool allocation across soil depths 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm
Outcomes reported
The study measured soil organic carbon (SOC) content, carbon pools, bulk density, and soil penetration resistance across three tillage systems (conventional, reduced, and zero) combined with four legume-based diversified cropping systems in the Indian Himalayas. Results showed differential responses in SOC restoration and soil physical properties depending on tillage intensity and crop rotation composition.
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