The Role of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) in Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

Conservation and sustainable agriculture play a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity while conserving natural resources and protecting environmental quality. Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) is an important pulse crop that supports sustainable agriculture by fixing atmospheric nitrogen through Rhizobium and improving soil fertility. It also provides nutrient-rich biomass and residues, enhances soil biological activity, and promotes efficient nutrient cycling. The review highlights the potential of green gram as a short-duration pulse crop for improving soil health and productivity. The paper examined and identified 50 research papers under the following themes: biological nitrogen fixation, enhancement of soil health and fertility, residue management, nutrient cycling, resource-use efficiency, and weed management. The findings show that adopting green gram in a conservation-based cropping system can increase soil organic carbon, improve soil structure, water infiltration, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability, while decreasing reliance on synthetic fertiliser. Green gram residues help in nutrient recycling, erosion control, and weed management; therefore, the incorporation of green gram into crop rotations can improve cropping-system productivity and sustainability. These practices have been found not only to stimulate high crop productivity but also to maintain long-term soil health, thereby assisting in addressing problems created by climate change and degradation. Going forward, conservation and sustainable agricultural practices will be key to building resilient agricultural systems that sustain food security and conserve environmental resources for future generations. Sustainable agricultural practices enhance crop productivity, improve long-term soil health, combat climate change and soil degradation, and promote resilient farming systems for future food security and environmental conservation. By investing in such conservation agriculture practices, we can pave the way for more sustainable agriculture and a more productive agricultural landscape, especially in dryland areas.