Zero tillage: the pros and cons of No-Till technology, how to

In order to save fuel and to prevent erosion, it is advisable to introduce zero (saving) tillage. This method differs from traditional farming in that the land is not plowed, crop residues remain on the field and form mulch. During sowing, a small furrow is made into which fertilizer is applied and seeds are sown.

What is no tillage

Wild plants produce seeds, they germinate without first wrapping the topsoil. A similar method can be applied to agricultural crops. The technology of farming, in which the land is not cultivated, is called no-tillage or No-Till.

Rationale for implementing conservation land use:

• plowing is not necessary for growing crops;
• in nature, plant residues remain on the surface of the earth and serve as top dressing;
• the remaining mulch protects the soil from water evaporation, protects from direct sunlight, weathering, and prevents erosion.

With the introduction of No-Till, the land remains untouched from sowing seeds to harvest and after harvest until new sowing. True, during sowing work, long slots are made in the soil by the coulters of the seeders. Saving technology excludes any destruction of the soil structure.

When using No-Till, it is necessary to destroy weeds at the initial stage with the help of herbicides. In all subsequent seasons, weeds are fought by crop rotation and green manure.

Who came up with it?

The idea of sowing seeds in uncultivated soil came to the mind of the first farmers. In the old days, with the help of a stick, grooves were made on the surface, grains were thrown into them and covered with earth. True, the main enemies of agricultural crops have always been weeds. As a means of combating weeds, they came up with a plow and deep plowing of the field.

In Russia, primitive agriculture was studied in the 70s of the 19th century by the scientist Ovsinsky. True, the old technology of land use in Russian lands did not take root. But in the United States conservation agriculture became widespread in the 30s of the 20th century. The Americans introduced No-Till to prevent the destructive effect of wind erosion on agricultural land. Brazilian farmers borrowed their experience.

The pioneers of zero-till had to face a number of challenges. Due to the use of herbicides, chemicals that harm crops accumulated in the ground. The new method required the creation of special equipment (direct seeders).

The No-Till renaissance was fueled by the discovery of a new generation of herbicides that target vegetative weeds and break down instantly on contact with the ground. In the 60s, the British created Paraquat and Dukat, thanks to which the cultivated field was immediately ready for sowing.

Currently, zero technology is widely used in the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, India. Due to the conservation soil treatment, fuels and lubricants are saved, erosion processes are prevented.

Advantages and disadvantages of No-Till

Advantages of saving technology:

• reducing the number of tillage operations;
• for a season, not 15, but 3-5 passes of equipment across the field are required;
• reducing the pressure of cars on the ground;
• saving labor, finances, time;
• no need for cultivators;
• reducing the cost of car repairs and fuel;
• mulch prevents evaporation of moisture and the germination of weeds;
• improves soil structure;
• conserves the population of beneficial insects (earthworms);
• decomposing plant residues contribute to the accumulation of organic matter in the upper layers of the earth;
• erosion is prevented;
• rainfall infiltration improves;
• fertilizers are not washed away by surface runoff;
• yield increases.

Disadvantages of No-Till:

• cannot be used in high humidity conditions without creating drainage systems;
• used on flat terrain only (surface leveling required);
• does not apply to all crops;
• herbicides needed;
• Pests gather under mulch;
• special technique required;
• requires crop rotation, planting green manure.

Where to start the transition to a new technology

The No-Till method consists of three main stages: herbicide spraying of the field, sowing seeds in intact soil, harvesting. Fertilizers are applied during sowing. To carry out such agricultural activities, it is necessary to purchase special equipment (sprayer, tractor, direct seeding stubble seeder, combine harvester).

First level the field. Leveling the surface before using zero technology is a prerequisite. The leveled land is additionally treated with a deep loosener, with the help of which the plow “sole” is destroyed.

Spring after weed germination is carried out herbicide spraying. After processing, the mulched soil surface is destroyed with a seeder. The openers of this technique leave V-shaped or T-shaped grooves on the ground. At the same time, seeds are sown, fertilized under the root using a belt method and the seed bed is closed.

Use of agrochemicals in no-till soil

At the initial stage, you will have to use continuous herbicides. Before sowing, the field is cleared of weeds. With severe infestation during the growing season of agricultural crops, selective herbicides are used. In subsequent seasons, the amount of herbicides is reduced. Mulch scattered across the field prevents the growth of weeds.

But insect pests breed under plant residues. However, their numbers are controlled by insect predators living under the mulch. If pests multiply strongly, insecticides are additionally used to reduce their number. True, the phytosanitary regime can be improved without the use of agricultural chemistry, that is, thanks to the correct crop rotation.

In addition to herbicides and insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers are used (required at the beginning of the growing season). The quantity and mode of their application depend on the state of the crops. Self-propelled sprayers are used for processing and top dressing.

Main No-Till Implementation Mistakes

When using no-till, do not rush to sow the seeds. With traditional technology, sowing starts early so that the crops outpace the growth of weeds and catch soil moisture. When using No-Till, on the contrary, it is recommended to wait for the germination of weeds and carry out the treatment with continuous herbicides.

It is desirable to apply fertilizer locally, that is, during sowing work on the side of the seeds or under them. To use this method, you need a special sowing unit. But the weeds will not have access to fertilizer.

With the introduction of No-Till, weed populations may change. Weeds that are resistant to continuous herbicides may appear on the field. You need to fight them not by increasing the number of herbicide treatments, but with the help of a competent crop rotation, in which the crop itself will suppress the growth of weeds.

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