Tillage#Conservation tillage

Conservation tillage is by Koeller & left a gentle tillage system that does not turn the soil and aims to reduce the engagement of tillage equipment in the ground, so as to protect it from soil erosion, degradation of organic matter, reduction of soil life and dehydration.

Conservation tillage aims to bury crop residues, as few as possible and to leave as many plant residues of the previous crop on the soil surface. By reducing runoff and evaporation after a rainfall can be with this system, a higher water use efficiency achieved.

The term " Conservation Tillage " is derived from the American "conservation tillage ". This technique was created after the devastating damage caused by erosion by wind in the Midwest of the USA in the 1930s. As a "conservation tillage " those tillage and sowing methods are referred to in the U.S., in which remain covered with plant residues after sowing, more than a third of the ground surface. These include " mulch tillage " ( minimum tillage ), "ridge tillage " ( the Dammsaat ) and "no- tilllage " ( no-till ).

In Germany dominated the marketing year 2009/10 the conventional turning tillage with the plow that was used on 56 % of the area. 34 % of the farms gave up their farmland at least partly due to the plowing and sat on the conservation tillage. This is not turning tillage equipment is used (eg cultivators or harrows ) which leave the soil largely in its construction. This reduced form of tillage was used on 38 % of arable land. The acceptance of conservation tillage methods increases with increasing farm size. While only 14% of the arable land in 2009/ 2010, the conservation tillage have been subjected in companies with a size of less than 30 acres of farmland, this less intensive processing method was employed in companies with 30 or more acres of farmland already at about 41 % of arable land. The direct sowing without tillage in Germany is not very common (1% ) of arable land.

Environmental impact

Conservation tillage results in a reduction of the negative environmental effects compared to conventional tillage result. So eutrophication and wind erosion are reduced. Wildlife habitats and CO2 sequestration can be improved.