Comparison of the carbon (C) stocks among different soil orders allows us to explore the role of various soil characteristics in long-term C storage and their vulnerabilities.This study quantified and compared the accumulation rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions (in 0-60 cm soil profile) in an Alfisol of Malda (25 27 0 33.9 00 N, 88 19 0 10.2 00 E) and an Entisol of Cooch Behar (26 09 0 62.7 00 N, 89 53 0 51.7 00 E) districts of West Bengal, India. We noticed a greater level of SOC (0-60 cm depth) in the Alfisol than the Entisol as the former soils were clayey in nature (fine textured) which provided the maximum stabilization of SOC compared to the Entisol (sandy textured).However, the storage of C fractions showed some peculiar results. The concentration of mineral-associated carbon (Min-C) was more or less similar in both the soil orders, but its stock was maximum in the Alfisol. While in the Entisol, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POX-C) and particulate organic matter carbon (POM-C) stocks recorded maximum among all the studied depths. A positive relation of SOC fractions and stocks with clay (r 2 = >0.500 in the Alfisol; r 2 = >0.700 in the Entisol) indicated the importance of finer fractions in profile storage of C. Min-C contributed to SOC of about 75%-85% followed by POM-C (3.27%-17.87%) and POX-C (2.57%-4.22%).Higher stratification of SOC and POX-C and POM-C fractions was observed in Entisol; while in Alfisol, stratification of Min-C was greater. Overall, this research demonstrated that the Alfisol has a greater potential in stabilizing Min-C than the Entisol with POM-C and POX-C and the distribution of these fractions varied as per its stabilization.

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Since the Green Revolution era, the farming sector exploited the soils for food, fiber, fodder, etc., with high input responsive varieties that excavated vast amounts of chemical fertilizers. The burgeoning population of the country calls for a commensurate increase in food production to satisfy the demands of its inhabitants. Further, due to innovative mechanization in agriculture, specialization, and government policy programs, the productivity of food has soared. Subsequently, it ensued greater productions and minimized food prizes. Regrettably, intensive agricultural operations degraded the soil quality and now reached such a stage where without external inputs, growers unable to achieve their targeted yields. India has lost 68% innate productive capacity of agricultural soils. This plunder of land’s quality continues unabated, further resulting in low nutrient use efficiency and insufficient yields of agroecosystems. Therefore, this is high time to realize the dreadful impacts of intensive crop production on the natural ecosystem. Irrefutably, both soil and its nutrients are the wondrous gifts of nature to humankind; utilizing them sustainably is imperative. The present chapter highlights the impacts of non-judicious nutrient management on soil productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and novel technologies required to promote sustainable agriculture and achieve the target of doubling farmer’s income in India.