ROLE OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION AND ON FARM BIODIVERSITY IN ENHANCING AGROECOSYSTEM RESILIENCE,SOIL HEALTH AND USTAINABLE YIELD HEALTH PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Climate variability and input-intensive agricultural practices pose increasing risks to soil health, ecosystem stability, and sustainable crop production. This study evaluated the role of crop diversification and on-farm biodiversity in enhancing agroecosystem resilience, soil functionality, and sustainable yield performance using an integrated experimental framework combining quantitative soil–crop measurements with biodiversity and resilience indicators. Comparative analyses across diversified and monocropping systems revealed that diversified systems achieved higher mean yields with lower temporal variability, indicating improved yield -stability. Significant gains in soil organic carbon, microbial and functional diversity, and nutrient-use efficiency were consistently observed under diversified management. Resilience metrics demonstrated stronger resistance and faster recovery of diversified systems under stress conditions, while greenhouse gas emissions were substantially reduced relative to conventional systems. Multivariate and graphical analyses confirmed strong coupling between biodiversity, soil biological activity, and productivity outcomes, highlighting the mechanisms through which diversification enhances system performance. Overall, the results demonstrate that crop diversification enables ecological intensification by simultaneously improving soil health, stabilizing yields, and reducing environmental impacts. These findings provide compelling evidence that biodiversity-based management is a viable and scalable strategy for achieving resilient and sustainable agroecosystems in the face of climate change and resource constraints.