**8. Soil chemical properties**

The examination of the enduring effects of conservation tillage on soil chemical properties is a subject of considerable importance to farmers, agronomists, and environmentalists. The implementation of conservation tillage practices leads to the creation of a unique soil environment, which in turn requires modified management approaches when compared to conventional tillage methods. Soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable cation levels, and total nitrogen content are among the many of the chemical parameters typically affected by the tillage techniques. Lal [33] found that distinct positive changes in chemical properties of the surface layer tend to occur when employing the no-till method compared to tilled soil. Research by Rasmussen [34] shows that plant residues on the soil's surface contribute to an increase in organic matter inside the topsoil when no-tillage methods are used on a yearly basis. Ismail et al. [35] also documented a notable increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in no-till (NT) soil when compared to in untilled soil. It has been observed that the total nitrogen loss is reduced under the no-till (NT) practice in comparison to under conventional tillage (CT). In tilled lands, the organic carbon and total nitrogen shows a crisp decrease as compared to in land with minimum tillage, which can be attributed to higher rates of mineralization and/or leaching due to the deterioration of soil structure caused by tillage practices; the soil remains unaltered Dalal [36]. The nutrient availability is effectively maintained as the organic matter content is increased in conservation tillage practices. The implementation of conservation tillage practices has been found to have a beneficial effect on the nutrient content of soil. Soils managed with conservation tillage exhibit elevated levels of essential nutrients, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The levels of exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) in the surface soil are notably elevated under no-till (NT) practices in comparison to under the plowed soil. Conservation tillage systems contribute to the enhancement of nutrient availability for crops by promoting improved soil organic matter content and reducing erosion.
