subject: No-till Farming - Popular Alternative Of Farming [print this page] Tilling is used since centuries to remove mix of soil amendments, to remove weeds, to shape the soil into rows and to make rows for irrigation and to soft the soil for easy seeding. But, recent researches have raised finger upon their real effectiveness and agricultural worth. Reposts state that tiling may lead to many unfavorable effects. Soil compaction; soil aggregates degradation; organic matter loss and soil microbes disruption are major losses. Regular tilling may disrupt mycorrhiza, earthworms, soil erosion and arthropods also. No-till farming offer freedom from these unfavorable effects, which were commonly unknown. No-till farming also called Zero Tilling is an unconventional way of growing crops year after year without disturbing the field soil through tillage. No-till farming is the emerging trend among the farmers worldwide.
The benefits of no-till farming can be divided into different categories:
Profit/economics/yield
Environmental
Cost
Management
The commonly accepted benefits of zero-till farming are:
Reduced labor requirements
Fuel savings
Time savings
Reduced machinery use
Long- term productivity
Better surface water level
Less soil erosion
Better moisture retention
Increased water infiltration
More wildlife
Decreased compaction of soil
Reduced carbon gases release
Less air pollution
Nature laws rule the productivity of farming lands. It is must to respect these rules if we want long term sustainable agricultural gains. Any farming system that contributes to reduce organic substances of soil is not good for long term farming interests. Under subtropical or tropical conditions, intensive tillage generally mineralizes organic matters more quickly than reposition. It results in decrease of organic content and diminishing in crop yields. Under tropical conditions, repeated tillage generally damages soil structure leading to rise in soil temperature that delivers negative effects upon root growth and soil flora. Any agricultural system that causes nutrients losses is not sustainable.
No-till farmingA also requires experience and skills to do it in right way to secure the gains. If it is not done correctly, production may drop considerably. Perfect combination of techniques, equipments, pesticides, cover crops, crop rotation, fertilizers and irrigation process make this a unique experience in farming because it is cheaper, convenient and less time involving. The worldwide growing trend for no-tilling farming proves its projected benefits. If you want to bet sure about the results before switching over to this popular alternative farming procedure, start it under the guidance of experts; for this, you dont need to pay because many agriculture research centers offer free consultancy.
