Outcomes of Long-Term Conservation Tillage Research in Northern China

Francis Azumah Chimsah,Renzhi Zhang,Jun Wu,Liqun Cai

doi:10.3390/su12031062

Francis Azumah Chimsah, Renzhi Zhang + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12031062

Copy DOI

Abstract

Sustainable food production has long been a priority for mankind and this is being challenged by limited arable land, challenged landscapes, and higher human population growth. China started conservation farming around the 1950’s. However, main Conservation Tillage (CT) research started in 1992. Using a systematic meta-analysis approach, this review aims at examining China’s approach to CT and to characterize the main outcomes of long-term CT research across northern China. Data from organizations in charge of CT research in China showed an improvement in crop yield of at least 4% under double cropping systems and 6% under single cropping systems in dry areas of northern China. Furthermore, long-term CT practices were reported to have improved soil physical properties (soil structure, bulk density, pore size, and aggregate stability), soil nutrient levels, and reduction in greenhouse gas emission. Other benefits include significant increase in income levels and protection of the environment. Limitations to CT practice highlighted in this study include occasional reduction in crop yields during initial years of cropping, significant reduction in total N of soils, increase in N2O emission, and the need for customized machinery for its implementation. Outcomes of CT practice are ecologically and economically beneficial though its limitations are worth cogitating.

Highlights

Tillage, which has been an essential constituent of crop production systems since the start of agriculture, is defined as an approach to “working” the soil by physical, mechanical, chemical or biological means to create appropriate conditions for germination, establishment, and growth of seedlings [1]
Despite the occasional lower (−0.6%) yield observed especially in the Boadi and Tianjin experimental sites, Conservation Tillage (CT) is effective in increasing yield because of its ability to improve soil properties and increase soil moisture, which is significant in northern China where study conclusions by Li et al [38] show between 4–6% of mean annual crop yield improvement in the mono cropping system of northeast and northwest China
There is documented evidence across northern China of improvements in crop yields where conservation tillage was used [38]. This higher yield confirms that CT practice can be beneficial in drier areas

Summary

Introduction

Tillage, which has been an essential constituent of crop production systems since the start of agriculture, is defined as an approach to “working” the soil by physical, mechanical, chemical or biological means to create appropriate conditions for germination, establishment, and growth of seedlings [1]. According to Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) [1], to be considered conservation tillage, it is important that the system should provide conditions that resist environmental hazards and erosion caused by rain, wind, and running water. Such resistance is attained either by protecting the soil surface with crop residues or growing cover plants, or by preserving sufficient surface roughness or soil permeability to increase water filtration and reduce soil erosion

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion