Agricultural soils can be managed to reduce soil erosion, organic matter loss, compaction and other threats to soil quality and agro-ecological systems. Soil management options include cultivation type, depth and timing; organic matter addition; cover cropping; and the nature and timing of access to land by machinery and livestock.
No-till farming (NT) or conservation agriculture (CA) can be a technically viable, economically attractive and sustainable alternative to current cultivation practices. The adoption of no-till farming can result in reduced soil erosion, increased soil organic matter content, changes to soil biological processes and conservation of soil moisture (Derpsch and Friedrich, 2009); and in many circumstances may be a viable alternative to inversion and reduced tillage systems.
Energy efficiency is a key strategy for agriculture to achieve economic sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Soil management and the choice of cultivation type can play an important role in increasing carbon sequestration and reducing GHG emissions (Dyer and Desjardins, 2003).
Valerie theme leader: Dario Sacco
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