Author
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Reeves, Donald |
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Submitted to: Ukraine Proceedings International
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2006 Publication Date: 9/27/2006 Citation: Reeves, D.W. 2006. Why take the no-till path? In: Proceedings of 4th No-Tillage-Conservaton Agriculture Conference, September 27-30, 2006, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. p. 185-199. Interpretive Summary: Soil quality is the converse of soil degradation. Maintaining and improving soil quality is crucial if agricultural productivity and environmental quality are to be sustained for future generations. Increased inputs and technologies in modern agricultural production systems can compensate for losses in productivity associated with reductions in soil quality. However, increased agricultural inputs not only reduce economic sustainability but also increase the potential for negatively impacting environmental quality. Soil carbon is the basis for soil quality; being linked to critical biological, chemical, and physical soil properties. Continuous cropping results in decline of soil carbon, although the rate and magnitude of the decline is climate and soil dependent and can be ameliorated by wise soil management practices. These practices include manure additions, adequate fertilization, return of crop residues to the soil, and most importantly, conservation tillage coupled with intensive cropping systems and rotations which include cover crops, and perennial pastures. Conservation tillage can sustain or increase soil carbon and improve economic sustainability when coupled with intensive cropping systems. However, the need for sound rotation practices in order to maintain agronomic productivity and economic sustainability is even more critical in conservation tillage systems than conventional tillage systems. Over 90% of the world's 5.2 million square miles of arable lands are severely degraded. This paper provides a general review, with examples, of principles that can be used by extension specialists, action agencies like USDA-NRCS, crop consultants, and producers to promote the use of environmentally and economically sustainable conservation practices to improve the 4.8 million square miles of arable lands worldwide that are severely degraded. Technical Abstract: Over 90% of the world's 5.2 million square miles of arable lands are severely degraded. This paper provides a general review, with examples, of the benefits of conservation tillage and sound cropping systems to improve soil quality on the 4.8 million square miles of arable lands worldwide that are severely degraded. Soil carbon is the basis for soil quality; being linked to critical biological, chemical, and physical soil properties. Continuous cropping results in decline of soil carbon, although the rate and magnitude of the decline is climate and soil dependent and can be ameliorated by wise soil management practices. These practices include manure additions, adequate fertilization, return of crop residues to the soil, and most importantly, conservation tillage coupled with intensive cropping systems and rotations which include cover crops, and perennial pastures. Conservation tillage can sustain or increase soil carbon and improve economic sustainability when coupled with intensive cropping systems. However, the need for sound rotation practices in order to maintain agronomic productivity and economic sustainability is even more critical in conservation tillage systems than conventional tillage systems. |
