Author
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Martens, Dean |
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Submitted to: National Conservation Tillage Digest
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Successful no-till management systems are dependent on several key components such as nutrient management, disease and weed suppression. Loss of sustainability and soil organic matter in world agriculture has been promoted by widespread tillage due to accelerated organic matter decomposition and erosion. A change from conventional to no-till management requires farmers to reconsider their normal crop fertilization methods and rates that were developed under conventional tillage management. A no-till management system reverses the soil organic matter destruction and loss of soil structure due to tillage. It is important to understand that the nitrogen mineralization and immobilization that occur under conventional tillage systems are changed or reversed with the change to no-till management. Reduced tillage systems result in increased organic residues on the soil surface and minimal plow layer disturbances. Factors that have been found to control nitrogen availability in no-till systems include climate, cropping history, soil type, duration of no-till management and nitrogen application method. Split applications of nitrogen and other plant nutrients below the plant residue left on the surface in no-till management at planting and later in the growing season has shown great promise to increase yields for low yielding no-till management systems and reducing nitrogen leaching to ground water. |
