The Influence of Short-Term Tillage, Compost, and Beneficial Microbes on Soil Properties and the Productivity of Wheat and Cowpea Crops

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I have evaluated the Manuscript entitled "Influence of short-term tillage, compost and beneficial microbes on some soil properties and productivity of wheat and cowpea crops," which describes that the improvements in soil properties and enhancements in biological activity help maintain productivity and fertility through simplified tillage processes that reduce interference with the soil surface layer. Although the topic of study is interesting, it needs many improvements, which are given below before making the final decision about the publication

1- Many language issues have made it difficult to understand. Many sentences are too long to understand. Authors are suggested to get read the manuscript by some language experts for improvement.

2- Authors must add prospects of the study in the abstract

3- in the Introduction section, novelty and hypothesis are poorly explained. To add novelty to the study, authors must explain what insight of the study will add new information or how this study will lead to new insights.

4- Reviewed literature is old in the introduction section. Add literature from the previous 2-3 years on the relevant subject

 5-Write statistical analyses with some more details. also add how figures were prepared

 6- The discussion needs thorough improvement. Authors are recommended not to repeat the results in this section but rather only justify the results based on recently published relevant literature. The authors may also discuss the novelty and prospects of the study here.

7- Most of the literature presented in the discussion is old. Justify your results with recently published literature to give the current state of knowledge.

8- -Give a concert conclusion along with the prospects and limitations of the study. 

Regarding quality, English is OK, but readability is low. So it needs some improvements. 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Journal: Agriculture

Title: Influence of short-term tillage, compost and beneficial mi-2 crobes on some soil properties and productivity of wheat and 3 cowpea crops

Decision: Major revision

Comments:

The topic is of utmost relevance in the current scenario of sustainable agriculture and the study deals with the changes in soil characteristics such as physical, chemical and biological properties as influenced by different tillage practices and soil amendmends.The methodology of the study is proper and statistical analysis has been followed in the current study. The language used in the MS needs major improvement as many sentences are vague and requires more clarity. The corrections are marked in the attached manuscript file.

 

Comments:

1.      Title: appropriate

2.      Abstract: language needs major improvement as many sentences are vague and requires more clarity

3.      Introduction: correction is given in MS, language need modification

4.      Materials and Methodology: Correction is given in MS, language need modification

5.      Results and discussion: corrections are marked in the attached MS. Many sentences give vague message, hence need modification

6.      References: correct the references as per the journal format and guidelines.

 

7.      Other comments in the figures and tables are marked in the attached manuscript file.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

The quality of language need to be improved. Many sentences are there which give vague meaning. Hence, the MS may be thoroughly checked and should be rewritten.

 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The article entitled “Influence of short-term tillage, compost and beneficial microbes on some soil properties and productivity of wheat and cowpea crops” addresses a current and highly relevant topic.

For acceptance of this article, some questions need to be answered (attachment).

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf