Integrating Pulses into Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Soil Health and Productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Continuous cultivation of rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs) has resulted in significant soil degradation and environmental challenges. Diversifying cropping systems with pulses offers a sustainable solution, enhancing soil fertility, improving water productivity, and reducing input costs, including fertilizers and pesticides. This review highlights the potential to utilize extensive rice fallow regions, potentially expanding pulse cultivation by 1.0 M ha in the IGPs. Pulses' nitrogen-fixing ability and nutrient-rich residues play a crucial role in improving soil health, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, contributing to food security and climate resilience. The integration of pulses into conservation agriculture practices is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural intensification in this critical region.