Crop Residue Management For Sustainable Agriculture -A Review

Food grain production after first green revolution has increased from 50.82 to 285.21 million metric ton to feed growing population. With the increase in grain production straw production has also increased proportionally. Crop residues are the plant parts that are left in the field after harvesting. These residues are usually burnt to clear the field as field preparation for the next crop. Current production of crop residues in India is 501.73 million tones. Highest quantities of crop residue are generated in Uttar Pradesh greater than 60 Mt, followed by Punjab and Maharashtra.Burning residues is the cheapest and most common method adopted by farmers. Burning of residues affects the soil health as well as pollutes the environment. Due to the burning of residue, microbes are killed making soil unfertile. Also different micro as well as macronutrients which are easily volatilised is loss due to the burning of residue in the soil. So, the different scientific communities are in great concern for the management ofagricultural crop residue. To manage this issue, it is necessary to adapt diversified management practices and the inclusion of mechanization as a part of managing increases the scope of usage of crop residues as a future prospect. Crop residue management improves both soil and environmental quality.