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Impacts of Organic Zero Tillage Systems on Crops, Weeds, and Soil Quality

Author

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  • Patrick M. Carr

    (Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, 1041 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601, USA)

  • Greta G. Gramig

    (North Dakota State University, 166 Loftsgard Hall, Fargo, ND 58108, USA)

  • Mark A. Liebig

    (Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, P.O. Box 459, Mandan, ND 58544, USA)

Abstract

Organic farming has been identified as promoting soil quality even though tillage is used for weed suppression. Adopting zero tillage and other conservation tillage practices can enhance soil quality in cropping systems where synthetic agri-chemicals are relied on for crop nutrition and weed control. Attempts have been made to eliminate tillage completely when growing several field crops organically. Vegetative mulch produced by killed cover crops in organic zero tillage systems can suppress annual weeds, but large amounts are needed for adequate early season weed control. Established perennial weeds are not controlled by cover crop mulch. Integrated weed management strategies that include other cultural as well as biological and mechanical controls have potential and need to be incorporated into organic zero tillage research efforts. Market crop performance in organic zero tillage systems has been mixed because of weed, nutrient cycling, and other problems that still must be solved. Soil quality benefits have been demonstrated in comparisons between organic conservation tillage and inversion tillage systems, but studies that include zero tillage treatments are lacking. Research is needed which identifies agronomic strategies for optimum market crop performance, acceptable levels of weed suppression, and soil quality benefits following adoption of organic zero tillage.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick M. Carr & Greta G. Gramig & Mark A. Liebig, 2013. "Impacts of Organic Zero Tillage Systems on Crops, Weeds, and Soil Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(7), pages 1-30, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:7:p:3172-3201:d:27408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Niamat Ullah Khan & Aftab Ahmad Khan & Muhammad Arif Goheer & Izwa Shafique & Sadam Hussain & Saddam Hussain & Talha Javed & Maliha Naz & Rubab Shabbir & Ali Raza & Faisal Zulfiqar & Freddy Mora-Poble, 2021. "Effect of Zero and Minimum Tillage on Cotton Productivity and Soil Characteristics under Different Nitrogen Application Rates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Tiziano Gomiero, 2016. "Soil Degradation, Land Scarcity and Food Security: Reviewing a Complex Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-41, March.
    3. Erik Lehnhoff & Zachariah Miller & Perry Miller & Stephen Johnson & Tessa Scott & Patrick Hatfield & Fabian D. Menalled, 2017. "Organic Agriculture and the Quest for the Holy Grail in Water-Limited Ecosystems: Managing Weeds and Reducing Tillage Intensity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Jan H. Schmidt & Johannes Hallmann & Maria R. Finckh, 2020. "Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-19, August.
    5. Laura Vincent-Caboud & Joséphine Peigné & Marion Casagrande & Erin M. Silva, 2017. "Overview of Organic Cover Crop-Based No-Tillage Technique in Europe: Farmers’ Practices and Research Challenges," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-16, May.
    6. Benjamin Ruch & Margita Hefner & André Sradnick, 2023. "Excessive Nitrate Limits the Sustainability of Deep Compost Mulch in Organic Market Gardening," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, May.
    7. Wang, Xiaolin & Ren, Yuanyuan & Zhang, Suiqi & Chen, Yinglong & Wang, Nan, 2017. "Applications of organic manure increased maize (Zea mays L.) yield and water productivity in a semi-arid region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 88-98.

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