A Multivariate Approach to Evaluate Reduced Tillage Systems and Cover Crop Sustainability

Abstract

The evaluation of the effects of conservation agriculture during the transition from conventional tillage to no-tillage requires numerous indicators to be considered. For this purpose, we monitored changes in a multi-parameter dataset during a three-year experiment that combined three tillage intensities (conventional tillage—CT; minimum tillage—MT; and no tillage—NT) with three soil covering managements (tillage radish cover crop, winter wheat cover crop and bare soil). Using a multivariate analysis, we developed a Relative Sustainability Index (RSI) based on 11 physical (e.g., bulk density and penetration resistance), chemical (e.g., soil organic carbon and pH) and biological soil properties (e.g., earthworm density) to evaluate cropping systems sustainability. The RSI was most affected by tillage intensity showing higher RSI values (i.e., better performances) in reduced tillage systems. Specifically, the RSI under NT was 42% greater than that of CT and 13% greater than that of MT. Soil covering had little impact on the RSI. Among the tested parameters, the RSI was increased most by saturated hydraulic conductivity (+193%) and earthworm density (+339%) across CT and NT treatments.to. Our results suggest that conservation agriculture and, particularly, reduced tillage systems, have the potential to increase farm environmental and agronomic sustainability.

Assessing the effects of different tillage systems on selected physical and chemical properties of a silty clay loam soil under different field conditions in the Czech Republic

“…Changes in soil volumetric water contents within the individual plots were rather more volatile to changes in soil organic matter (Johnston et al., 2009). Our findings coincide with recent outcomes (Garcia‐Franco et al., 2021; Sartori et al., 2022), indicating significant long‐term improvements in saturated volumetric water content would be barely achievable through CT but can be possible under RT, OT and NT when incorporated with a considerably adequate amounts of organic matter content. Organic matter requirements for optimal results may also vary depending on the tillage system in place.…”

“…The magnitude and significance of the changes tend to vary depending on the soil texture, climate and site‐specific reduced tillage practice in operation (Lahmar, 2010). With the incorporation of crop residues, reduced tillage systems have the potential to increase environmental and agronomic benefits on agricultural soils (Sartori et al., 2022).…”

Soil-Improving Cropping Systems for Sustainable and Profitable Farming in Europe

“…The results of an Italian experiment that used different crops and tillage methods to reduce soil compaction indicated a higher risk of crop failure and difficulties with weed control (requiring herbicides) under no-tillage systems. Nevertheless, reduced-tillage systems had the potential to increase farm environmental and agronomic sustainability according to the relative sustainability index, which was based on 11 physical chemical and biological properties [114].…”

Opportunities for Mitigating Soil Compaction in Europe—Case Studies from the SoilCare Project Using Soil-Improving Cropping Systems

“…No-tillage or direct drilling is usually considered a more sustainable agronomic practice [87,88] because it is thought to be less harmful to soil biota, and by keeping the crop residues at the soil surface, it reduces the risk of soil erosion [89]. Verhulst et al [90] found a greater proportion of large macro-aggregates (>2000 µm) and macro-aggregates (250-2000 µm) under no-tillage compared to conventionally-tilled soils, confirming both the positive effect of tillage absence and crop residue retention.…”