Conservation tillage is embracing one
principle of conservation agriculture "minimum soil disturbances” and
includes practices that keep the disturbance of the soil and loss of organic
matter to a minimum, reducing soil and water losses. Mostly, the soil is not
turned using ploughs.
Zero tillage involves slashing the
weeds and previous crop residues or spraying herbicides for weed control, and
seeding directly through the mulch using direct seeding implements. All crop
residues are retained, and fertiliser and amendments are either broadcast on
the soil surface or applied during seeding.
Effects:
1. Minimal destruction
of soil structure through pulverisation, compaction and/or plough pan development.
2. Slower
mineralisation of soil organic matter through less exposure to climatic
elements and soil micro and macro fauna.
3. No disturbance
of worms and other soil inhabitants, maintained soil biodiversity and balanced
activity and food web in the soil including natural predation.
4. Better
infiltration and circulation of air and water into and through the soil profile
through maintained bio-pores and vegetative cover and optimal rooting.
5. Reduced
evaporation from bare soil surfaces.
Soil regeneration rate through
mineralisation and decomposition and re-structuring higher than soil
degradation through loss of porosity and soil particles (erosion) and loss of
plant nutrients (fertility).
6. Improved
nutrient retention and availability for plant growth and reduced leaching of
nitrogen and other nutrients.
7. Improved
timely field operations.
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