No-Till Farming Systems for Enhancing Soil Water Storage

Abstract

No-till (NT) management has been a successful soil management practice for many decades due to its ability to increase sustainable agricultural production practices through reduced soil erosion. Utilizing this NT conservation practice helps enhance the sustainability of crop production systems. No-till management practices can also improve soil water storage, which optimizes the use of this critical water resource for plant production. No-till management has been found to improve soil organic carbon, soil water retention, plant available water capacity, soil hydraulic conductivity, and water infiltration in soils, resulting in major improvements with water use efficiency. These improvements in soil properties and processes can translate into a more efficient system for sustainable food, fiber and biofuel production for future generations.