Anil Kumar, Gajanan Charpe, Anitrosa Innazent, Khan Chand, Bhupen Kumar Baruah, Kamlesh Kumar Yadav, B. Lal, Priyanka Gautam
Abstract
Soil biodiversity is fundamental to the delivery of ecosystem services essential for sustainable agriculture, including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, soil structure formation, water regulation, and natural suppression of pests and diseases. However, intensive agronomic practices such as excessive tillage, monocropping, overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and inefficient irrigation have disrupted soil biological communities, resulting in soil degradation and declining ecosystem functionality. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the influence of agronomic management practices on soil biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. Conservation-oriented approaches, including reduced or no tillage, crop diversification, organic amendments, residue retention, cover cropping, integrated nutrient management, and efficient water use, are highlighted for their positive effects on soil microbial diversity, soil fauna, and key biological processes. The review further discusses mechanistic pathways linking management practices to soil biodiversity through habitat modification, resource availability, abiotic and biotic interactions, and legacy effects. Key challenges related to measurement constraints, regional variability, and socio-economic barriers are identified, along with future research and policy priorities. Integrating soil ecological principles into agronomic decision-making is essential for enhancing ecosystem services, improving climate resilience, and achieving long-term agricultural sustainability.