Stubble burning in Northern India has emerged as a critical environmental and health crisis, driven by agricultural practices from the Green Revolution. Factors such as labour shortages, increased mechanization with combine harvesters, limited time for crop preparation and low utilization of crop residues as animal feed contribute to this widespread practice. Annually, approximately 178 million tons of crop residues remain unutilized, causing soil degradation and severe air pollution, impacting both agricultural productivity and public health. This study reviewed the factors contributing to stubble burning by farmers and techno-economic feasibility of innovative stubble management technologies, including the happy seeder, super seeder and bio-decomposers, which show promise in alleviating the adverse impacts of burning. However, challenges such as financial constraints, lack of awareness and insufficient policy support hinder their adoption. This review identified key barriers to effective implementation and outlines strategies to overcome these challenges. By synthesizing existing research and empirical data, this study aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Collaborative efforts and informed actions are crucial to facilitating the transition toward sustainable stubble management, yielding benefits for both farmers and the environment. 
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Stubble Burning in Northern India: Factors, Technological Solutions and Management Strategies-A Comprehensive Review

<div style="text-align: justify;">Biochar is a pyrolysis product resulted from biomass burning in oxygen limited conditions and is expected to serve as soil ameliorant.In this paper a laboratory study was conducted using three types of biochar ( palm empty fruit bunches (tankos), rice husk and peat from Bengkalis). The study was aimed at identifying the characteristics of each biochar burned at a temperature of 350oC with different pyrolysis time (3, 4 and5 hours). The analysis of lignin content showed that the peat from Bengkalis has higher lignin (50.23%) followed by tankos (41.96%) and rice husk (18.40%). The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) show lower-layer Bengkalis peat (A2) has more functional group than husk burned for three hours and four hours (12 types, 10 types and 10 types). &nbsp;The appearance of rice husk biochar surface pores pyrolyzed for 3 hours, with 1000x magnification is sturdy and orderly arranged, smaller macro and micro pore size (1.612 &igrave;m; 1.800 &igrave;m; 2.593 &igrave;m) &nbsp;than that of husk biochar pyrolyzed for four &nbsp;hours (6.956 &igrave;m; 9.402 &igrave;m ; 5.012 &micro;m). In Bengkalis peat (A2), the macro and micro pores are sturdy and orderly arranged, the size of the pores is partially collapsed so that it is smaller and cannot be measured. Large and orderly arranged structure and form of pores will increase the role of biochar as ameliorant in the soil. The formation of intact pore makes biochar better in terms of bulk density, particle density, and aeration.&nbsp;</div>

Characteristics of three biochar types with different pyrolysis time as ameliorant of peat soil

<div style="text-align: justify;">Rice straw produced from field is utilized for multiple purposes viz., incorporation in field itself, feeding paddy straw to the animals, burning in the field and thatching the farm houses. The above methods are uneconomical for the farmers and unhealthy for the animals. The new methods viz., composting, mushroom production and new animal feeding is identified as efficient methods for farmers in Cauvery delta zone. Cauvery delta zone includes the entire revenue taluks of Thanjavur, Thriuvarur, Nagappatinam districts numbering 20, five revenue taluks of Trichy districts, two of Cuddalore and one taluk of Puddukkottai districts thus the zone comprises of 28 revenue taluks of the eastern belt of state. All these taluks are benefited by the river Cauvery.</div>

Rice residue management for rice based cropping system in Cauvery delta zone &ndash; A review

<div>Background: Punjab (India) an agricultural state with twelve major crops sown round the year, produces 14.53 MT as crop residue. This huge quantity of crop residue poses a serious problem of stubble burning in the fields, leading to an alarming level of air pollution across the state, along with a potential loss of fuel usable for power generation. About 1000 MW of electricity can be generated from this crop residue by the proper utilization (Singh et al., 2015).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Characteristics of various crop residues were evaluated experimentally and further investigations have been carried out to study the performance of producer gas derived from mustard stalk using a downdraft gasifier in combination with diesel oil in dual fuel diesel engine, where effect of various input parameters such as type of fuel, equivalence ratio and load on engine were studied on emission component SO2. Results were modeled and optimized through central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) using design of experiments technique to determine the most desirable mode of utilization.&nbsp; 
 
Result: It has been found that&nbsp; fixed carbon (40.55%), sulphur (0.367%), moisture contents (6.88%) and nitrogen contents (1.314%) in mustard stalk is almost same as in coal, where as hydrogen (6.124%), oxygen (43.965%), volatile matter (68.93%), gross calorific values (3933 kcal/kg) of mustard stalk are more and ash content (6.65%) is less as compared to corresponding values for coal. In all the three modes of operations, SO2 increases with increase in load on the engine. ER has no effect in diesel alone mode but in dual modes with increase in ER further increases SO2 as high temperature producer gas and air along with sulphur enters the engine which further increases the value of SO2.</div>

​Mathematical Modeling and Optimization for Emission Parameter SO﻿2 of Dual Fuel CI Engine using Mustard Stalk

Background: Agricultural residues are a significant part of the waste generated in India. It is challenging for farmers to manage surplus crop residue sustainably because of large production and limited options. Ultimately, most farmers burn crop residue without giving it a second thought. Besides affecting the environment, burning crop residues also reduces soil fertility, soil nutrient content and soil organic humus levels by releasing greenhouse gases.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study was conducted to identify surplus crop residues available and their current uses. Vidarbha region in Maharashtra was selected for the study and cotton, tur and soybean crops were selected since these are the most commonly grown crops there. A man-to-man survey was conducted to determine the type and amount of crop residue available and how it is currently being used. Three farmlands in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra were selected for the study. Four different varieties of cotton, tur and soybean were grown on three farms. The yield and crop residue generated were measured per unit area. Analysis of crop residue availability was conducted using statistical methods.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Based on the study, it can be concluded that biomass waste is abundantly available and there is potential to generate bioenergy by utilizing agricultural waste effectively. Furthermore, the regression study shows that crop output is a major predictor of crop residue generated.

A Study of Generation and Regulation of Crop Residue: Bioenergy

Smoke is an important factor involved in fire and post fire germination cues. The role of smoke in stimulating germination was first highlighted in South Africa in a study on Audouinia capitata, a threatened fynbos species. Farmers throughout the world have traditionally used fire and smoke in grain drying practices. It is thought that these methods improve germination and seedling vigor. Smoke has been applied in agriculture mainly by two ways viz., Aerosol method and Smoke water method. In aerosol method, seeds were directly exposed to smoke generated from burning plant material. Smoke-water is one of the most convenient means of application. The biologically active compounds present in smoke readily dissolve in water and when this smoke-extract is used as a diluted solution, treated seeds of many species show a marked improvement in germination. The main active germination compound of smoke-water derived from burned plant materials and cellulose has been identified as butenolide [3-methyl-2H-furo (2, 3-c) pyran-2-one], which is effective at very low concentrations &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;(1 ppb). The compound has recently been referred to as &ldquo;karrikinolide&rdquo;. Following the initial isolation of KAR1, a whole new family of plant growth regulators, termed &lsquo;karrikins&rsquo;, were identified in smoke and several related compounds have been synthesized. &nbsp;It is estimated that between 2 and 5 g of KAR1 is more than sufficient for 1 ha of land application rates that are commercially viable. Application of smoke in various agricultural, horticultural forage and forestry crops had found that smoke acted as a cue for breaking seeds of dormancy, improve seed germination, seedling growth, flowering, plant biomass of different plant families, Invitro plantlet regeneration and pathogen control (Anti-microbial properties).

Plant derived smoke stimulation for seed germination and&nbsp;enhancement of crop growth: A review&nbsp;

Background: Farmers&rsquo; conventional tillage and residue removal practices in rice-maize-greengram systems in India are input-intensive, costly and soil degradative. A number of soil quality issues have emerged due to continuous cropping and burning of residues threatening the sustainability of rice based cropping systems for the last more than four decades. Nevertheless, the in-situ or in-field decomposition of crop residue using microbial inoculum is rarely studied. This necessitated the use of microbial consortia developed by a combination of potent strains of fungi which can perform harmoniously for rapid decomposition of crop residues. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during 2020-21 and 2021-22 with eight residue-management treatments and three fertility levels to zero till maize at college farm, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU using strip plot design and the residual effect on the succeeding greengram was studied. 
 
Result: Greengram growth and yield were significantly higher under residual effect of incorporation of residues treated with microbial consortia consisting of Trichoderma viridae, Aspergillus awamori and Phanerocheate spp. along with 300:100:100 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O (125% RDF) and P supplied in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) under zero tillage during summer, 2021 and 2022. Growth parameters like plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production and yield attributes like number of pods plant-1, pod length and number of seeds pod-1 in greengram were higher under residue incorporated plots compared to residue burning, removal and retention plots with 125% RDF.

Residual Effects of Microbial Treated Paddy Residues Applied to Zero Till Maize on Growth and Yield of Summer Greengram

Background: One of the main reasons for India&rsquo;s decreased food production is the depletion of soil fertility. The primary causes of soil deterioration are lack of awareness among farmers and lack of land use regulations. By limiting the erosion and enhancing the nutrients available to the crops, conservation agriculture increases the organic matter content of the soil and contributes to the improvement of field conditions. But compared to conventional agriculture, the practise of conservation agriculture is less advanced. And also there is a dearth of research on the use of crop residues for the management of soil fertility. So this study was undertaken in order to examine the impacts of crop residue, inorganic fertilizers and cropping system as a component of an integrated crop residues and fertility management system on nutrient uptake and net returns of greengram. 
 
Methods: The experiment consists of strip plot design and was carried out during 2020-21 and 2021-22 under zero till conditions at college farm, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU to study the effect of previous crop residues and fertility levels on succeeding greengram.&nbsp; 
 
Result: According to the data, greengram absorbed more nutrients at various growing stages. The residual effect of incorporation of residues treated with microbial consortia composed of Trichoderma viridae, Aspergillus awamori and Phanerocheate spp. along with 300:100:100 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O (125% RDF) and phosphorous supplied in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) resulted in significantly higher financial returns. In greengram, residue incorporated plots outperformed residue burning, removal and retention plots with 125% RDF in terms of nutrient uptake, as well as monetary returns like gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio. In a similar vein, yield in residue-incorporated plots was higher than it was in residue-removal and in-situ burning plots during summer, 2021 and 2022.

Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Summer Greengram as Influenced by Residual Effect of Paddy Residues and Fertility Levels

<div>Background: The continuous farming of cereal-cereal (rice-wheat) cropping sequence and crop residue burning has resulted in soil health degradation, environmental pollution, stagnation of yield and shrinking groundwater resources. The management of rice crop residues (RCRs) could be helpful in the enhancement of soil properties and agriculture output. The two-year experiments were conducted to assess the effects of keeping residue and irrigation scheduling strategies on soil properties, crop yield and water productivity. 
 
Methods: The study used three wheat establishment techniques: conventional tillage (CTW), Happy Seeder (HSW) and Super Seeder (SSW) in main plot fields. In sub-plot fields, four irrigation scheduling strategies were set up, i.e. irrigation at crop growth stages (IS1), climatological approach, IW/(CPE-rain) ratio of 0.9 with first irrigation at the CRI stage (IS2), IW/(CPE-rain) ratio 0.9 for the entire crop season (IS3) and 50% available soil moisture depletion (DASM) in the crop root zone (IS4). 
 
Result: The pooled results indicated that HSW sowing method coupled with IS3&nbsp;irrigation scheduling have a significant impact on attributes of yield and crop yield. It has also been observed the highest irrigation water productivity (WPI) was 54.36 kg ha-1&nbsp;mm-1&nbsp;in the HSW sowing method and IS3 irrigation scheduling practice. The higher returns over variable cultivation cost and benefit-cost ratio (BCR), i.e. 99261.40 Rs ha-1&nbsp;and 1.43, respectively, were observed in HSW sowing methods of wheat. The study suggests keeping the RCRs using appropriate machinery and following optimum irrigation scheduling practices to curb residue burning and conserve natural resources for sustainable and profitable farming. 
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Effect of Residue Management and Irrigation Scheduling on Grain Yield and Water Productivity of Wheat in North-West India

<div>Background: Effective in-situ decomposition of rice straw is urgent need for enhancing soil health, supporting nutrient cycling and mitigating the widespread practice of residue burning. This study aim to screen and characterizes potential lignocellulolytic producing microbial isolates and evaluate their efficiency in accelerating rice straw decomposition under pot condition and their subsequent impact on soil biochemical properties and microbial activity under field condition. 
 
Methods: A wide range of bacterial and fungal isolates were screened for lignocellulolytic enzyme production. Eighteen promising crop residue decomposers (CRDs) were applied on rice straw with three replications under complete randomized design (CRD). Their effects on key enzymes (&beta;-glucosidase, protease, xylanase and chitinase), microbial populations, biomass carbon and nitrogen, basal respiration and overall soil properties were evaluated under controlled conditions. 
 
Result: The inoculation CRDs on rice straw recorded significantly greater microbial counts, microbial biomass C and N, basal soil respiration, soil enzymes and soil properties over the control. Microbial counts (bacterial, actinomycetes and fungal), microbial biomass C, N and basal respiration were recorded highest in the T4-CRDB48, closely followed by T12-CRDB24, T5-CRDB52, T17-CRDF32 and T15-CRDF8. CRD inoculation also enhanced enzymatic activities (&beta;-glucosidase: 7.77-32.0 &mu;g PNP/ g soil/h, xylanase: 32.3-132.8 &mu;g GE/g soil/h), microbial counts and soil quality parameters significantly over the control. Inoculation of T15-CRDB48 recorded the highest SOC (0.54%), followed by T5-CRDB52 (0.52%) and T17-CRDF32 (0.50%) over control (0.38%) after decomposition of rice straw, respectively. The CRDB24, CRDB48 and CRDB52 bacteria isolates were identified by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus haynesii, Bacillus altitudinis and Bacillus stratosphericus, while CRDF8 and CRDF32 fungal isolates were identified by ITS region sequencing as Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus fumigates, respectively. The selected microbial inoculants effectively accelerated rice straw decomposition and improved soil biological and chemical properties. These findings exhibited their potential that can be used in sustainable residue management strategies liable to enhance soil health and reduce the environmental impact of straw burning.</div>

Stubble Burning in Northern India: Factors, Technological Solutions and Management Strategies-A Comprehensive Review

Characteristics of three biochar types with different pyrolysis time as ameliorant of peat soil

Rice residue management for rice based cropping system in Cauvery delta zone – A review

Mathematical Modeling and Optimization for Emission Parameter SO₂ of Dual Fuel CI Engine using Mustard Stalk

A Study of Generation and Regulation of Crop Residue: Bioenergy

Plant derived smoke stimulation for seed germination and enhancement of crop growth: A review

Residual Effects of Microbial Treated Paddy Residues Applied to Zero Till Maize on Growth and Yield of Summer Greengram

Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Summer Greengram as Influenced by Residual Effect of Paddy Residues and Fertility Levels

Effect of Residue Management and Irrigation Scheduling on Grain Yield and Water Productivity of Wheat in North-West India

Microbial Inoculation Enhances Rice Straw Decomposition and Improves Soil Health