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Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Soil swapping under the CVR approach: A novel strategy for restoring soil health and ecological resilience

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13450
Submitted
30 December 2025
Published
07-08-2026

Abstract

Globally, soils are increasingly subjected to severe degradation due to both natural and anthropogenic factors, including climate change, urbanisation, deforestation, soil erosion and salinisation. The resulting decline in soil quality across many farming systems has intensified the need for sustainable pathways that can restore soil physical, chemical and biological functions while minimising external inputs. One such emerging practice is the soil swapping technique developed by farmer Chintala Venkata Reddy (CVR), in which mineral-rich subsoil is exchanged with degraded topsoil layers. This process is believed to activate latent microbial populations, release mineral-bound nutrients and alter soil particle distribution by exposing deeper layers to oxygen and biological activity. Collectively, these changes improve soil porosity, moisture retention and nutrient cycling. Field-level observations and preliminary evaluations have reported enhanced crop performance, improved nutrient-use efficiency and reduced fertiliser requirements across various cropping systems. These findings are partially supported by studies on subsoil amelioration. However, the technique also raises concerns, including the disturbance of natural soil horizons and the potential spread of weeds and soil-borne pathogens. Due to the lack of long-term experimental datasets and uncertainties associated with field-level implementation, robust scientific evidence remains limited. To better understand and validate this approach, further research is required, including monitoring changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), analysing shifts in microbial communities, identifying mineral release patterns, evaluating soil-type specificity and assessing environmental risks. Overall, the CVR method represents an innovative and cost-effective strategy with potential relevance for smallholder-based regenerative agriculture. However, comprehensive multi-location trials, assessments of soil biochemical functions, economic risk analyses and multi-season crop response studies are essential to establish its agronomic and ecological sustainability. This review is based on a synthesis of published scientific literature, field observations and farmer-based reports and it highlights current knowledge, underlying mechanisms and key research gaps related to the CVR soil swapping method.

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