## 1 Introduction  
The capacity of soil to supply crucial nutrients to plants is known as soil fertility and is a chief concern for scientists [1]. In arid and semi-arid regions, specifically in the northwestern Loess Plateau areas of China, the yield of crops particularly in smallholder systems is affected by an inherent poor fertility status of soil and a reduced application of fertilization [2, 3]. Poor soil fertility, water scarcity, and intensive fertilization make these agro-ecosystems vulnerable to the existing global changing climate process and cyclical drought events. Investment profit is undetermined with degraded soils, which raises the economic risks for smallholder agriculturists [4]. Nitrogen (N) is a vital macro-nutrient for the growth, development, and yield of crops [5]. N application methods augmented quickly, and different N fertilization approaches have been used to increase crop yields throughout the previous three decades;eventually, this has had a negative effect on crop development and production [6; 7]. Nevertheless, N application might lead to soil acidification and deteriorate the soil environment. Consequently, the identification and recommendation of strategies that are both climate-smart and yield satisfactory crop productivity in a recent climate change scenario are significant for crop production in Loess Plateau areas in order to fulfill the up-to-date rise in demand for food and fuel globally [8; 9; 10]. Sustainable agricultural practices preserve soil and environmental quality, and increase soil and water conservation, which certifies the sustainable crop production. Land management strategies are the key drivers of agriculture sustainability, as they can modify soil health or quality via enhancements in physico-chemical, biological and hydrological characteristics [2; 11]. Therefore, farming measures that conserve and preserve natural resources without bargaining productivity are at the center of sustainable production. Spring wheat (_Tritcium aestivum_ L.) is one of the main crops grown in the Loess Plateau. Because of its strong drought tolerance, short growth period, considerable yield, and other advantages, wheat has become the preferred target for crop cultivation in the Loess Plateau [12]. Nevertheless, in recent years, intensive continuous farming and the large-scale application of chemical fertilizers in this area have led to the destruction of the farmland, a decline in soil fertility, and the waste of residual N [13]; the improper uses of conventional planting systems and inorganic chemical fertilizer can also cause farmland desertification, soil erosion, and pollution, resulting in changes in soil nutrients which lead affect food production safety [14]. Consequently, it is particularly important to explore the effects of conservation tillage and reasonable fertilization measures on farmland soil properties and yield. Plenty of techniques have been used to increase soil properties and crop yields. The most operative strategy is improving the organic input, for instance with the implementation of organic compost or manure [15; 16] and a no-till system [17]. [PERSON] et al. [18], [PERSON] et al. [19], and [PERSON] et al. [20] verified that different organic inputs, such as no-till, and manure application significantly improved soil quality attributes and crop yield. Organic fertilization and a no-till strategy have great value for increasing soil fertility indicators [21]. Various studies have stated that organic compost or manure and no-till is rich in soil nutrients and could be treated as a natural organic fertilizer, as well as used as an alternative to chemical inorganic fertilizers [22]. So, an organic technique including no-till or manure application appears promising to restore and preserve fertility of soil and soil quality indicators.