06-13-2015, 01:09 PM
Interesting topic.
No-tillage
The no-till system is a specialized type of conservation tillage consisting of a one-pass planting and fertilizer operation in which the soil and the surface residues are minimally disturbed (Parr et al. 1990). The surface residues of such a system are of critical importance for soil and water conservation. Weed control is generally achieved with herbicides or in some cases with crop rotation. According to Lal (1983), no-tillage systems eliminate all preplanting mechanical seedbed preparation except for the opening of a narrow (2-3 cm wide) strip or small hole in the ground for seed placement to ensure adequate seed/soil contact. The entire soil surface is covered by crop residue mulch or killed sod. A review of tillage studies in Nigeria (Opara-Nadi 1990) shows that no-tillage with residue mulch is appropriate for Luvisols in the humid tropics. No-tillage is used in mechanized wheat farming in northern Tanzania and for some perennial crops, for example coffee plantations (Antapa and Angen 1990). Several studies (Smika and Unger 1986; Unger et al. 1988; Parr et al. 1990) have reported the success of no-tillage systems in many parts of the USA. Though the use of no-till is increasing, adoption has been slow. Parr et al. (1990) report that in the USA, no-till is practised on less than 10% of the farmland that is in some form of conservation tillage.
No-till fallow is a type of no-tillage system which is used in the dryland areas in the USA. No-till fallow has been most successful in summer rainfall areas (Parr et al. 1990). A major goal of fallowing is to recharge the soil profile with water so that the risk of failure for the next crop is greatly reduced (Unger et al. 1988). According to Parr et al. (1990), the potential benefits of no-till fallow, compared with other tillage systems, are more effective control of soil erosion, increased water storage, lower energy costs per unit of production and higher grain yields. A major disadvantage of no-till fallow (sometimes referred to as chemical fallow) is its heavy use of herbicides for weed control.
Source from my very good knowledge base: http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1696e/t1696e09.htm.
No-tillage
The no-till system is a specialized type of conservation tillage consisting of a one-pass planting and fertilizer operation in which the soil and the surface residues are minimally disturbed (Parr et al. 1990). The surface residues of such a system are of critical importance for soil and water conservation. Weed control is generally achieved with herbicides or in some cases with crop rotation. According to Lal (1983), no-tillage systems eliminate all preplanting mechanical seedbed preparation except for the opening of a narrow (2-3 cm wide) strip or small hole in the ground for seed placement to ensure adequate seed/soil contact. The entire soil surface is covered by crop residue mulch or killed sod. A review of tillage studies in Nigeria (Opara-Nadi 1990) shows that no-tillage with residue mulch is appropriate for Luvisols in the humid tropics. No-tillage is used in mechanized wheat farming in northern Tanzania and for some perennial crops, for example coffee plantations (Antapa and Angen 1990). Several studies (Smika and Unger 1986; Unger et al. 1988; Parr et al. 1990) have reported the success of no-tillage systems in many parts of the USA. Though the use of no-till is increasing, adoption has been slow. Parr et al. (1990) report that in the USA, no-till is practised on less than 10% of the farmland that is in some form of conservation tillage.
No-till fallow is a type of no-tillage system which is used in the dryland areas in the USA. No-till fallow has been most successful in summer rainfall areas (Parr et al. 1990). A major goal of fallowing is to recharge the soil profile with water so that the risk of failure for the next crop is greatly reduced (Unger et al. 1988). According to Parr et al. (1990), the potential benefits of no-till fallow, compared with other tillage systems, are more effective control of soil erosion, increased water storage, lower energy costs per unit of production and higher grain yields. A major disadvantage of no-till fallow (sometimes referred to as chemical fallow) is its heavy use of herbicides for weed control.
Source from my very good knowledge base: http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1696e/t1696e09.htm.