Article
Soil Science
Henri Honkanen, Eila Turtola, Riitta Lemola, Jaakko Heikkinen, Visa Nuutinen, Risto Uusitalo, Janne Kaseva, Kristiina Regina
Summary: This study compared the impact of conventional tillage and no-till management on soil properties, erosion rates, and carbon allocation in a clay soil site in southwestern Finland. The results showed that no-till was effective in reducing erosion rates, but additional measures may be needed to increase carbon input and stock in boreal clay soils.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Amanda Weidhuner, Anastacia Hanauer, Ronald Krausz, Stephen J. Crittenden, Karla Gage, Amir Sadeghpour
Summary: The study found that no tillage can improve soil structure and increase soil carbon, but alternating between no-till and deep-tillage may affect soil aggregation and carbon accumulation. Periodic deep-tillage can be as detrimental to soil structure as yearly reduced tillage, if not more.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Summer R. A. Lockhart, Kent Keller, David Evans, Lynne A. Carpenter-Boggs, David R. Huggins
Summary: Organic agriculture can lead to higher concentrations and production rates of soil CO2 compared to no-till agriculture. However, the effect of agricultural management techniques on soil CO2 is not well understood.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Renee A. Belknap, Kelly A. Nelson
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of long-term no-till and reduced tillage cropping systems on yields and economics, finding that no-till systems had higher net income despite greater input costs. Balancing productivity and economic benefits with ecosystem advantages of no-till systems is crucial in crop rotations. Hybrid cropping systems including reduced tillage corn and wheat, followed by no-till corn-soybean rotation are recommended for optimal results.
Article
Agronomy
Anas Iqbal, Abdullah Khan, Stefan J. Green, Izhar Ali, Liang He, Muhammad Zeeshan, Yuqiong Luo, Xiaoyan Wu, Shangqin Wei, Ligeng Jiang
Summary: This study assessed the impact of conservation tillage practices on crop yield and soil properties. Results showed that conservation tillage treatments had significantly higher soil chemical traits and enzymatic activities compared to conventional tillage. The combination of no-tillage and crop straw mulching consistently produced the highest grain yield and improved soil properties.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Henri Honkanen, Hanna Kekkonen, Jaakko Heikkinen, Janne Kaseva, Kristiina Lang
Summary: The study measured the greenhouse gas emissions of spring cereal monoculture under conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) treatment in a peatland in Southwestern Finland. The results suggest that NT may have the potential to slightly reduce CO2 and N2O emissions, but further long-term research is needed to support these findings.
Article
Agronomy
Yufei Cui, Weiwei Zhang, Yun Zhang, Xinmei Liu, Ye Zhang, Xiaoying Zheng, Ji Luo, Junliang Zou
Summary: No tillage can decrease upland crop yields but increase soil organic carbon sequestration. When combined with crop residue return and crop rotation, it can reduce the negative effects on crop yield and increase soil organic carbon sequestration.
Article
Soil Science
Thiago Massao Inagaki, Joao Carlos de Moraes Sa, Cassio Antonio Tormena, Andressa Dranski, Amanda Muchalak, Clever Briedis, Ademir de Oliveira Ferreira, Neyde F. B. Giarola, Alvaro Pires da Silva
Summary: The study compared no-till systems without mechanical disturbance, with mechanical chiseling, and with biological chiseling using radish as an intercrop. Results showed that mechanical chiseling depleted SOC stocks, while using radish as an intercrop increased SOC stocks, root development, and crop yield.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Yaqi Zhang, Ranjan Bhattacharyya, Damien Finn, Henry W. G. Birt, Paul G. Dennis, Ram C. Dalal, Andrew R. Jones, Gregor Meyer, Buddhi Dayananda, Peng Wang, Neal W. Menzies, Peter M. Kopittke
Summary: Tillage and nitrogen fertilization have varying effects on soil properties in subtropical climates, especially in Vertisols. This study found that total organic carbon significantly increased with nitrogen fertilization under no-till practices. Total nitrogen concentrations were only influenced by nitrogen fertilization and not affected by tillage. Enzyme activity was affected by nitrogen application and tillage, but bacterial and fungal diversity remained unaffected. Overall, no-till and nitrogen fertilization are important for managing soil properties in this subtropical region, although the impact may be less pronounced over long-term trials.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Haixing Cui, Yuanyuan Wang, Yongli Luo, Min Jin, Jin Chen, Dangwei Pang, Yong Li, Zhenlin Wang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different tillage and nitrogen fertilizer application on soil organic carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, and annual crop yield. The findings suggest that deep tillage can increase soil organic carbon sequestration and reduce nitrogen fertilizer application, but it leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions. However, reducing nitrogen fertilizer application while improving soil quality can lower the carbon footprint and maintain high crop productivity.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiu-Yue Liu, Cheng-Tang Xu, Shou-Wei Han, Xiao-Xiao Li, Zheng-Rong Kan, Xin Zhao, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: The study found that strategic tillage had a significant impact on carbon footprints in a wheat-maize cropping system. By increasing soil organic carbon storage, it was able to reduce CFs and enhance grain yield. The NS treatment resulted in higher grain yield, SOC sequestration, and lower CFs, making it the recommended tillage method for sustainable production and environmental balance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Josue de los Rios, Arne Poyda, Friedhelm Taube, Christof Kluss, Ralf Loges, Thorsten Reinsch
Summary: The results of this study suggest that the use of no-till (NT) can effectively mitigate soil organic carbon (SOC) losses during the conversion of grassland to arable land. However, the tillage method does not affect the SOC content in the subsoil layer.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Zheng-Rong Kan, Wen-Xuan Liu, Wen-Sheng Liu, Rattan Lal, Yash Pal Dang, Xin Zhao, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: This study reviewed the mechanisms affecting SOC stability in NT systems, including priming effects, molecular structure of SOC, aggregate protection, association with soil minerals, microbial properties, and environmental effects. NT improves macro-aggregation and lowers SOC mineralization compared with CT. Chemical protection and higher microbial activity in NT contribute to SOC stabilization in the long term.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Prabhu Govindasamy, Rui Liu, Tony Provin, Nithya Rajan, Frank Hons, Jake Mowrer, Muthukumar Bagavathiannan
Summary: This study found that long-term conservation tillage is beneficial for improving soil organic carbon stock and reducing carbon loss, thus positively impacting soil health and sustainability.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rahmatullah Hashimi, Nobuhiro Kaneko, Masakazu Komatsuzaki
Summary: No-tillage is a promising practice to improve soil quality and potentially increase crop yield. Meta-analysis of 64 peer-reviewed articles demonstrated that no-tillage significantly increased soil organic carbon content and storage compared to conventional tillage. It also improved soil physical and chemical properties and had slight positive effects on crop yield.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Zheng-Rong Kan, Jian-Ying Qi, Qiu-Yue Liu, Cong He, Ahmad Latif Virk, Rattan Lal, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: Low wheat grain yield under conservation tillage has been reported. In this 11-year field experiment, it was found that prolonging the growth duration through residue retention in no-till management can increase grain yield. However, there was no significant difference in yield between no-till with residue retention and conventional tillage with residue removal treatments.
ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zheng-Rong Kan, Shou-Wei Han, Wen-Xuan Liu, Xin Zhao, Rattan Lal, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: The study found that δC-13(SOC) can be used to distinguish the contributions of C3 and C4 plants in rotations; no tillage favored the preservation of wheat carbon, particularly at 10-20 cm depth.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xin Zhao, Cong He, Wen-Sheng Liu, Wen-Xuan Liu, Qiu-Yue Liu, Wei Bai, Li-Jun Li, Rattan Lal, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: The study found that compared to conventional tillage, no-till agriculture can significantly decrease soil pH, with factors such as soil texture, duration of no-till practice, mean annual temperature, and initial soil pH playing crucial roles.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Zheng-Rong Kan, Wen-Xuan Liu, Wen-Sheng Liu, Rattan Lal, Yash Pal Dang, Xin Zhao, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: This study reviewed the mechanisms affecting SOC stability in NT systems, including priming effects, molecular structure of SOC, aggregate protection, association with soil minerals, microbial properties, and environmental effects. NT improves macro-aggregation and lowers SOC mineralization compared with CT. Chemical protection and higher microbial activity in NT contribute to SOC stabilization in the long term.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zheng-Rong Kan, Wen-Xuan Liu, Wen-Sheng Liu, Cong He, N'dri Yves Bohoussou, Yash Pal Dang, Xin Zhao, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: Soil sieving can lead to a temporary increase in mineralization, affecting estimates of SOC mineralization, especially in soils managed with NT. Although sieved soils may overestimate SOC mineralization and underestimate Q10, sieving soil is still considered a suitable approach to evaluate the relative impacts of NT and RR on SOC mineralization and Q10.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Cong He, Jia-Rui Niu, Cheng-Tang Xu, Shou-Wei Han, Wei Bai, Qiu-Lai Song, Yash Pal Dang, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: Long-term conventional tillage has resulted in soil degradation in the important grain-producing region of Northeast China. The adoption of conservation tillage practices, such as ridge tillage and subsoiling tillage, can improve crop yields and increase soil organic carbon concentrations. Ridge tillage is recommended for colder areas, while subsoiling tillage should be used in rotation with other tillage measures to maintain crop yields.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cong He, Yu-Qiao Wang, Wei-Bao Yu, Yi-Hong Kou, Bohoussou N'dri Yves, Xin Zhao, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: Improving agro-resource utilization efficiency is crucial for developing an environmentally friendly agricultural system. The North China Plain, as the most important food-producing area in China, is facing challenges with low carbon and water efficiency. This study investigated the comprehensive assessment of carbon and water utilization and economic benefits in the North China Plain, finding that residue retention can improve carbon and water use efficiency, as well as increase farmer income.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zheng-Rong Kan, Zhe Chen, Yu-Xin Wei, Ahmad Latif Virk, Yves N'Dri Bohoussou, Rattan Lal, Xin Zhao, Hai-Lin Zhang
Summary: The study suggests that wheat may contribute more to SOC accumulation than maize, and considering the crucial roles of C3 crops in SOC accumulation could enhance carbon increment efficiency in farmland.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Hongxuan Duan, Jia Cheng, Mengqi Han, Hailin Zhang
Summary: The effects of different tillage and residue-returning modes on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation were assessed in this study. The results showed that no-tillage significantly increased SOC concentration, and the combination of no-tillage and wheat straw returning helped increase SOC concentration and decrease mineralizability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zheng-Rong Kan, Zirui Wang, Wei Chen, Ahmad Latif Virk, Feng-Min Li, Jian Liu, Yaguang Xue, Haishui Yang
Summary: Methane emission from rice paddy fields is mainly driven by methanogens. However, little is known about the relationship between methanogenic diversity and methane production. This study found that methanogenic evenness explains 23% of variations in methane production potential, and it is regulated by soil properties such as organic carbon, available phosphorus, and nitrate. These findings highlight the importance of considering methanogenic evenness in evaluating methane production in response to agricultural practices and soil properties.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zheng-Rong Kan, Jiajia Zhou, Feng-Min Li, Mohamed S. Sheteiwy, Jianying Qi, Changqing Chen, Haishui Yang
Summary: The study investigates the effects of straw return and earthworm presence on nitrous oxide (N2O) production. It is found that straw return increases N2O emissions while the presence of earthworms decreases it. The interaction between straw and earthworms plays a significant role in reducing N2O emissions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Zheng-Rong Kan, Yifan Li, Xinyu Yang, Silong Zhai, Yi Meng, Chaofan Xu, Jianying Qi, Feng-Min Li, Changqing Chen, Haishui Yang
Summary: Straw return is a recommended practice to improve soil fertility, but it often leads to increased methane emissions from rice paddies. This study investigated how the tillage type (before or after irrigation) affects methane emission under straw return. The results showed that dry tillage before irrigation mitigates methane emission, while wet tillage after irrigation reduces methane emission in the absence of significant interaction between straw and tillage type.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fangdi Chang, Hongyuan Zhang, Jiashen Song, Ru Yu, Xia Zhang, Haoruo Li, Jing Wang, Zhengrong Kan, Yuyi Li
Summary: Straw deep returning as an interlayer is a novel practice that improves soil quality and crop yield in saline soils. Applying straw interlayers at rates of 6, 12, and 18 Mg ha-1 significantly improved the soil quality index (SQI) compared to no straw interlayer. The improvement in SQI was attributed to the high-moisture and low-salt environment created by straw interlayers in the early years, and the release of soil nutrients from straw decomposition in the subsequent years. Sunflower yield was increased by 8.7-13.4% under straw interlayers, with the highest increase observed at the rate of 18 Mg ha-1. Straw deep returning as an interlayer plays a more important role in increasing crop yield than nutrient supply from straw decomposition.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Bowei Duan, An Yu, Hailin Zhang
Summary: Soil organic carbon (SOC) pools have the potential to achieve sustainable agriculture goals under climate change. The impact of different exogenous nutrient additions on SOC mineralization and stability was investigated through a laboratory-based experiment. The study revealed that high-rate fertilizer application significantly increased SOC mineralization at 25°C, while different fertilizer types had no significant impact at 15°C. Overall, fertilization increased total potential mineralizable carbon and decreased decomposition rate. The mixed application of organic and inorganic fertilizers was suggested to improve SOC stabilization and promote sustainable agricultural development.
