Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources

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In This Section

• PO 39 Erosion
• PO 40 Consequences of erosion & sedimentation
• PO 41.1-2 Inter-rill & rill erosion
• PO 41.3-4 Gully & streambank erosion
• PO 42 Erodibility
• PO 43 Climatic effects on erosion
• PO 44 Slope effects on erosion
• PO 45 RUSLE
• PO 46 Erosion reduction with agronomy
• PO 47.1-2 Structural conservation 1
• PO 47.3-4 Structural conservation 2
• PO 47.5-6 Structural conservation 3
• PO 48 Tillage
• PO 49.0 Tillage systems
• PO 49.1-2 Plow-till / no-till
• PO 49.3-5 Mulch-till / ridge-till / zone tillage
• PO 51.1-2 Adaptability of tillage systems 1
• PO 51.3-4 Adaptability of tillage systems 2
• PO 52 Tillage practices
• PO 53 Tillage systems
• PO 54 Soil Tilth
• PO 55. Tillage conditions
• Summary

Competency Area 5: Soil conservation AEM

PO 49. Describe the basic components and workings of tillage systems, and understand their agronomic and environmental benefits.

1. Plow-till
2. No-till
3. Mulch-till
4. Ridge-till
5. Zone tillage

Plow-till.

Typically consists of primary tillage with a moldboard plow, followed by one or more passes with a disk and another type of harrow. The moldboard plow is the best weed controlling tillage tool. It also thoroughly inverts the soil, incorporating and covering residue, fertilizer or manure. Thus, it reduces ammonia volatilization if performed immediately after manure or urea application, and it reduces odor nuisance. However, the plow-till system is one of the more soil degrading tillage practices because of its aggressive disturbance and reduction of mulch cover. This system uses the most fossil fuel for field operations and takes the most labor.

No-till.

No tillage is done, crops are planted with a no-till planter or drill, and weeds are controlled without tillage. Manures and fertilizers are applied to the soil surface or may be injected with low-disturbance injectors. If left at the surface, ammonia volatilization and odor are a concern. No-tillage systems conserve soil and build soil organic matter. They also have a beneficial effect on soil organisms. Fossil fuel use for field operations is low as well as labor needs. Odor from manure, planting issues through heavy residue, and weed control are the greatest challenges with this system. Even crop residue spread at harvest is extremely critical for success with no-tillage.

Soybeans growing in a no-till field

Photo courtesy of NRCS

http://photogallery.nrcs.usda.gov