Long-Term Use of Farmyard Manure Improves Soil Health and Sustains Crop Yields

A 56-year agricultural field study has highlighted the role of farmyard manure in improving soil health and maintaining crop productivity in semi-arid farming regions. Published in Discover Sustainability, the research examined the long-term effects of combining organic manure with nitrogen fertiliser in a pearl millet–wheat cropping system.

The researchers compared different application rates of farmyard manure and nitrogen fertiliser to understand their effects on crop yields, soil nutrients and biological activity. The results showed that plots receiving 20 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare produced average pearl millet and wheat yields of approximately 2.45 and 4.77 tonnes per hectare, respectively. These yields were statistically comparable to those achieved with the higher manure application rate of 30 tonnes per hectare.

Compared with plots that received no manure, the 20-tonne treatment recorded yields that were around 25 per cent higher for pearl millet and 43 per cent higher for wheat. The findings also demonstrated that nitrogen fertilisation remained important for maintaining crop productivity.

The researchers observed substantial improvements in soil organic carbon, nutrient availability and microbial activity in plots receiving regular manure applications. At the highest manure rate, soil organic carbon increased by 143 per cent in the surface layer and 183 per cent in the subsurface layer compared with untreated plots.

The study suggests that integrating farmyard manure with an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertiliser could help farmers improve soil fertility while maintaining reliable harvests. Such an approach may be particularly useful in semi-arid areas where declining soil quality threatens agricultural productivity.

The researchers emphasised that the results reflect a specific cropping system and set of field conditions. Further assessment would be needed before applying the findings to regions with different soils, climates and farming practices.

05-10-2026