Sustainable Soil Management Practices for Enhancing Crop Yield in Arid Regions: A Case Study of Tharparkar, Pakistan
This study investigates the effects of integrated soil management practices on soil health and crop yield in the arid region of Tharparkar, Pakistan. Five treatments, including control (TP1), organic amendments (TP2), cover cropping (TP3), conservation tillage (TP4), and a combination of these practices (TP5), were applied to assess their impact on soil properties and agricultural productivity. Results indicate that the combined treatment (TP5) significantly enhanced soil organic matter (53.8% increase), nutrient levels, and moisture retention (22.6% increase), while also boosting microbial activity (73.3% increase). These improvements translated into a 28.6% increase in crop yield compared to the control. The findings underscore the importance of integrating organic amendments, cover cropping, and conservation tillage in arid regions to achieve sustainable agriculture, improve soil fertility, and enhance crop productivity.
Keywords: Soil management, arid regions, Organic amendments, Crop yield, Tharparkar Pakistan
