Retention Vs Incorporation of Cereal Residues on Soil Health: A Comprehensive Review

Cereal crop (rice, wheat, maize etc.) residues mainly include the aboveground parts of plants that remain in an agricultural field after crop has been harvested. Nutritional value, organic matter content, and porous nature of cereal crop residues make them suitable for use on agricultural land to improve the soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Application of crop residue into the soil needs proper strategies, which could sustain crop production as well as soil health. In this comprehensive review, efforts have been made to compile data on studies conducted the impact of residues on various soil health properties, current management practices and residue removing issues for a better understanding of soil health improvement strategies through cereal crop residue retention or incorporation. Further, the article discussed the relationship between cereal residue retention/incorporation and soil health properties by considering 113 peer-reviewed studies. We evaluated site-specific advantages and disadvantages involved on residue retention/incorporation. In addition, we found out the suitability of residue incorporation vs. retention, in respect to soil health improvement. This review found that residue retention or incorporation can positively influence soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics associated with soil health. Significant influences of abiotic factors on residue management were observed in different locations. To our knowledge, this comprehensive review is the first one to present global view of current scenario of cereal crop residue management, their influence on soil health improvement, and residue removing issues with citing worldwide evidences.