Effect of Different Agronomic Practices on Soil Physicochemical Properties, Nutrient Availability and Productivity of Field Crops
Abstract
Soil health and crop productivity are strongly influenced by agronomic practices that regulate soil structure, nutrient availability, water dynamics, biological activity, organic carbon storage, and the overall resilience of agricultural systems. This review examines the major interactions between agronomic management and soil fertility, with emphasis on soil physicochemical properties, nutrient cycling, tillage systems, organic and inorganic fertilization, irrigation management, conservation agriculture, biofertilizers, weed management, precision agriculture, and crop-specific responses. Soil properties such as texture, structure, bulk density, porosity, water-holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, cation-exchange capacity, and aggregate stability determine the ability of soils to supply nutrients and support crop growth. Sustainable tillage, residue retention, organic amendments, balanced fertilization, diversified crop rotations, efficient irrigation, and microbial-based inputs can improve soil structure, nutrient-use efficiency, microbial activity, and water conservation. In contrast, excessive tillage, imbalanced fertilizer application, residue removal, inefficient irrigation, and continuous nutrient extraction may accelerate soil degradation, nutrient depletion, acidification, salinization, and greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation agriculture and integrated nutrient management provide important opportunities to improve soil organic carbon sequestration and long-term productivity, while precision agriculture, variable-rate nutrient application, remote sensing, drones, Internet of Things-based sensors, and artificial intelligence are creating new possibilities for site-specific agronomic management. The review also highlights the importance of managing acidic, saline, sodic, compacted, nutrient-deficient, and eroded soils through targeted reclamation and amendment strategies. Long-term field experiments remain essential for understanding changes in soil carbon stocks, nutrient balances, biological properties, and yield sustainability. Future research should integrate regenerative agriculture, climate-resilient cropping systems, nano-enabled and controlled-release fertilizers, microbiome-based soil management, digital decision-support systems, and long-term soil-health monitoring. Overall, sustainable agronomic management requires an integrated, site-specific approach that combines physical, chemical, biological, technological, and socioeconomic considerations to maintain soil fertility, improve resource-use efficiency, enhance crop productivity, and strengthen agricultural resilience under changing climatic conditions.