This investigation hypothesized that nutrient application rates and sources differentially influence nutrient removal and soil nutrient status across various crop establishment techniques (CETs). While cropping system yield was similar across CETs, soil nutrient availability and microbiological aspects varied significantly. The aerobic rice system followed by zero tillage wheat (ARS–ZTW) showed the highest N, P, K, and Zn uptake. Microbial inoculation (*Anabaena* sp. + *Providencia* sp. and *Anabaena–Pseudomonas* biofilm) enhanced soil chlorophyll, microbial biomass carbon, and nutrient uptake. Zinc fertilization increased soil DTPA-extractable Zn. The study recommends ARS–ZTW with microbial inoculation to enhance nutrient uptake and improve soil nutrient status.

Amit Anil Shahane, Yashbir Singh Shivay, Radha Prasanna, Dinesh Kumar