Conservation tillage systems: a review of its consequences for greenhouse gas emissions

• Published in: Soil use and management Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 199 - 209
• Main Authors: Abdalla, M., Osborne, B., Lanigan, G., Forristal, D., Williams, M., Smith, P., Jones, M. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2013; Wiley-Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Conservation tillage; Conventional tillage; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Dissolved organic C and N; Emissions; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Greenhouse gas emissions; N leaching; Organic matter; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Soil erosion, conservation, land management and development; Soil science; Soil tillage; Tillage; Tillage. Tending. Growth control; Cultural practice; Organic matter; Soil tillage; Gas emission; Dissolved organic C and N; Review; N leaching; Nitrogen; Leaching; Soil management; System; Dissolved matter; Dissolved organic carbon; Greenhouse gas; Conservation tillage; Conventional tillage; Soil science; Greenhouse gas emissions
• ISSN: 0266-0032; 1475-2743
• DOI: 10.1111/sum.12030

Conservation tillage (CT) is an umbrella term encompassing many types of tillage and residue management systems that aim to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture. Through a global review of CT research, the objective of this paper was to investigate the impacts of CT on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Based on the analysis presented, CT should be developed within the context of specific climates and soils. A number of potential disadvantages in adopting CT practices were identified, relating mainly to enhanced nitrous oxide emissions, together with a number of advantages that would justify its wider adoption. Almost all studies examined showed that the adoption of CT practices reduced carbon dioxide emissions, while also contributing to increases in soil organic carbon and improvements in soil structure.