Tillage Radish as Cover Crop Improves Soil Health Indicators Depending on Pedoclimatic Conditions

Replacing fallow periods with cover crops (CCs) is a key conservation agriculture measure to enhance soil health, yet its effectiveness depends on pedoclimatic conditions. However, the effects of CCs, such as tillage radish (TR), on soil health indicators under different environmental and management conditions remain insufficiently unexplored. This study assessed the effects of TR on soil health indicators related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling in two locations (Signa –SN– and Cesa –CS–) under conservation agriculture with different pedoclimatic conditions. Biomass accumulation and P uptake by TR were significantly higher at SN than CS, likely due to more favourable soil and climatic conditions. The higher biomass at SN resulted in a threefold higher accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the upper 5 cm compared to CS. TR increased SOC, labile organic C, soil P test, and microbial biomass C, N, and P, although most effects varied by location. Soil P test increased with TR biomass, confirming its role in P mobilisation. At SN, TR improved nitrogen retention in the soil by about 34 mg N kg−1 compared to fallow management. These findings highlight TR's positive effects on some soil health indicators related to relevant ecosystem services, particularly C storage, microbial biomass, P mobilisation and recycling, and N balance, with site-specific variations depending on pedoclimatic conditions. Future studies should explore the long-term impacts of TR on soil fertility and nutrient cycling across diverse agroecosystems, involving different management practices and pedoclimatic conditions for solid practical recommendations.