ABSTRACT
The main aim of conservation agriculture is to sustain and improve the crop productivity and to provide protection against biotic and abiotic stress, while at the same time protecting and enhancing the biological activities of the soil. The conservation agriculture came into existence to minimize the ill effects of conventional agriculture by maintaining soil microbial diversity which takes care of soil physical properties, soil structure and nutrient supplying capacity on a sustainable basis. Microbial community structure differed between cultivated and uncultivated soil, and it has been reported by several researchers depending on the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles, community level physiological profiles and phospholipid fatty acid-based assessment of microbial community structure. Crop residue management plays a great role in maintenance of soil microbial biodiversity. Integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management are a part of conservation agriculture. Microbial communities in conventional soils were obviously sufficient and active enough to respond to organic inputs.
