Plant–Soil Microbe Interactions’ Effects on CO2 Emissions, Soil Organic Carbon and Nutrients Under Different Tillage Systems

Soil microbes are central to carbon and nutrient cycling; however, the influence of tillage practices on plant–soil microbe interactions, particularly their contribution to carbon stabilization under increasing atmospheric CO2, remains insufficiently understood. This systematic review evaluated 238 studies published between 2010 and 2025 from Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar, of which 113 met the inclusion criteria related to carbon dynamics, agro-climatic conditions, and soil–microbial processes. Evidence indicates that conventional plowing (CP) disrupts microbial structure, habitat, and function, resulting in lower soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and elevated CO2 emissions. Conversely, conservation tillage promotes rhizodeposition, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) accumulation, and enhanced nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability, thereby increasing SOC sequestration and reducing CO2 emissions. Overall, insights from this study will enhance our understanding of beneficial microbes that enhance carbon stabilization and root exudate compounds, which trigger specifically needed nutrients in the rhizosphere.