Instant Insights: Zero/no-till cultivation

By (author) Dr Alison Hamm, Dr Daniel K. Manter, Dr Theodor Friedrich, Prof Michele Pisante, Dr Angelica Galieni, Professor Gottlieb Basch, Dr Fabio Stagnari, Dr Mike Kucera

Publication date:

18 June 2024

Length of book:

122 pages

Publisher

Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing

Dimensions:

229x152mm
6x9"

This book features four peer-reviewed reviews on zero/no-till cultivation.

The first chapter assesses the effect of no-till (NT) practices on soil health. The chapter explores the wide range of research on the effects of NT on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, as well as continuing challenges to address in NT research and practice.

The second chapter reviews the role of no or minimum soil disturbance in Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems, focussing on the effects of soil tillage and tillage implements on the soil. The chapter also explores how soil disturbance can by minimised during farming activities such as land preparation, seeding, planting, pest, disease and weed management, and harvesting.

The third chapter provides a useful overview of the core principles of CA before moving onto examining the concepts of no-tillage agriculture, cover crops and crop residue management. The chapter also discusses the environmental benefits and ecosystem services linked to CA as well as economic benefits.

The final chapter considers the use of NT and the importance of a fully-integrated cropping and residue management system to maintain soil health and productivity. The chapter also reviews how NT can be used to reduce erosion risk, as well as its role in optimising soil functions.

Chapter 1 - Assessing the effects of no-till cultivation practices on soil health: Alison Hamm and Daniel K. Manter, USDA-ARS, USA;
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Soil physical properties
- 3 Soil chemical properties
- 4 Soil biological properties
- 5 Case studies
- 6 Future trends and conclusion
- 7 Where to look for further information
- 8 References
Chapter 2 - The role of no or minimum mechanical soil disturbance in Conservation Agriculture systems: Theodor Friedrich, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy;
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Effects of soil tillage and tillage implements on the soil
- 3 Minimizing soil disturbance in farming
- 4 Conclusion
- 5 Where to look for further information
- 6 References
Chapter 3 - Soil management practices and benefits in Conservation Agriculture systems: Michele Pisante, University of Teramo, Italy; Angelica Galieni, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics and Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Italy; Gottlieb Basch, University of Évora, Portugal; Theodor Friedrich, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy; and Fabio Stagnari, University of Teramo, Italy;
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The principles of CA
- 3 Environmental benefits and ecosystem services
- 4 Economic benefits
- 5 Future trends
- 6 Conclusion
- 7 Where to look for further information
- 8 References
Chapter 4 - The effects of no-till and related practices in preventing soil erosion: Michael Kucera, formerly USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)/National Soil Survey Center, USA;
- Introduction
- The effects of no-till (NT) practices on soil properties related to erosion risk
- No-till (NT) practices and water erosion risk
- No-till (NT) practices and wind erosion risk
- Summary
- References