B. Raju, J. A. Kamalakar, B. Madavi, Anil Kumar, Naman Pathania, Gurwinder Singh, Banwari Lal, Priyanka Gautam
Conservation tillage has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional ploughing systems, aiming to enhance soil health, improve water-use efficiency, and reduce environmental degradation. Long-term adoption of conservation tillage practices such as zero tillage, minimum tillage, and residue retention has shown significant impacts on soil structure, moisture dynamics, and erosion control. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how long-term conservation tillage influences soil physical properties, hydrological processes, and erosion mechanisms. Results from global and regional studies indicate improved soil aggregation, reduced bulk density, enhanced infiltration, higher soil moisture storage, and substantial reduction in soil loss. The review highlights the potential of conservation tillage as a climate-smart practice and identifies research gaps for future studies.