Crop Residues Management: A Viable Tool for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

The crop residue, traditionally considered as agricultural waste, is increasingly being viewed as a valuable resource. If the current trend continues, crop residue will be a “co-product” of grain production where both the grain and the residue have significant value. Potentially gross quantities of over 500 Mt crop residues are available in India on an annual basis and generated by various crops. Due to the scarcity of alternative organic amendments, the retention of crop residue in fields can be considered key in promoting physical, chemical, and biological attributes of soil in the agricultural systems of developing countries. The stems, leaves, chaffs, husks, etc., that remain in the fields after crops are harvested, play a critical role in soil quality and environmental issues since they are primary inputs of elemental carbon (C) into the soil system. About 25% N, 25% P, 75% K and 50% S uptake by cereal crops are retained in residues, making them valuable sources of nutrients.

Abiotic and Biotic Stresses in Green Gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek): A Comprehensive Review

“…To address this nutritional imbalance, combining mungbean with cereals in the diet is advocated to ensure a more balanced amino acid profile [2]. Additionally, mungbean seeds are rich in Ca, K, and vitamins (riboflavin, and niacin, thiamine), and notably high in iron [3][4][5][6]. The recently developed variety Pusa bold-1 (Pusa vishal) contains 6 mg of iron per 100 g raw seeds compared to traditional varieties [7].…”