Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Current Status and Soil Biology Impacts of Organic Conservation Tillage in the US Great Plains

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Organic Farming

Abstract

Crop production and soil quality benefits following adoption of conservation-tillage practices in conventional dryland agriculture are well documented. These successes have spurred interest among farmers and researchers in developing conservation-tillage practices that can be used in organic cropping systems. However, achieving long-term, consistent weed control has been cited as a major obstacle preventing the adoption of organic conservation-tillage systems in the US Great Plains, particularly when farm scale prevents hand removal of weeds and intensive tillage could result in unsustainable soil erosion. In particular, Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), and other creeping perennial weed species pose particular obstacles to the continued use of conservation-tillage practices following the first 2 to 4 years after adoption, although annual weeds (e.g., downy brome [Bromus tectorum L.]) and simple perennials (e.g., dandelion [Taraxacum officinale Weber]) can also become problems. To fill this knowledge gap, researchers and farmers have explored several practices including cover crop mulch, grazing, and acetic acid applications to reduce and even eliminate tillage and suppress weeds in organic environments across the US northern Great Plains region. In this paper, we summarize efforts to develop long-term, conservation-tillage systems in organically managed environments and how these practices impact the soil biological community and discuss how successful adoption of conservation-tillage practices by organic farmers may revolutionize organic farming in the US Great Plains and similar climatic regions globally.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alon, A., & Steinberger, Y. (1999). Effect of nitrogen amendments on microbial biomass, above-ground biomass and nematode population in the Negev desert soil. Journal of Arid Environments, 41, 429–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aude, E., Tybirka, K., Michelsen, A., Ejrnæs, R., Hald, A. B., & Mark, S. (2004). Conservation value of the herbaceous vegetation in hedgerows-does organic farming make a difference? Biological Conservation, 118, 467–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bardgett, R. D., & Griffiths, B. (1997). Ecology and biology of soil protozoa, nematodes and microarthropods. In J. D. van Elsas, E. Wellington, & J. T. Trevors (Eds.), Modern soil microbiology (pp. 129–163). New York: Marcel Dekker. Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barroso, J., Miller, Z., Lehnhoff, E., Hatfield, P., & Menalled, F. (2015). Impacts of cropping system and management practices on the assembly of weed communities. Weed Research, 55, 426–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertrand, M., Barot, S., Blouin, M., Whalen, J., de Oliveira, T., & Roger-Estrade, J. (2015). Earthworm services for cropping systems. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35, 553–567.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Birkas, M., Jolankai, M., Gyuricza, C., & Percze, A. (2004). Tillage effects on compaction, earthworms and other soil quality indicators in Hungary. Soil and Tillage Research, 78, 185–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brainard, D. C., Haramoto, E., Williams, M. M., II, & Mirsky, S. (2013). Towards a no-till no-spray future? Introduction to a symposium on nonchemical weed management for reduced-tillage cropping systems. Weed Technology, 27, 190–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briar, S. S., Grewal, P. S., Somasekhar, N., Stinner, D., & Miller, S. A. (2007). Soil nematode community, organic matter, microbial biomass and nitrogen dynamics in field plots transitioning from conventional to organic management. Applied Soil Ecology, 37, 256–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briar, S. S., Miller, S. A., Stinner, D., Kleinhenz, M. D., & Grewal, P. S. (2011). Effect of different organic transition strategies for peri-urban vegetable production on soil properties, nematode community, and tomato yield. Applied Soil Ecology, 47, 84–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bulluck, L. R., III, Brosius, M., Evanylo, G. K., & Ristaino, J. B. (2002). Organic and synthetic fertility amendments influence soil microbial, physical and chemical properties on organic and conventional farms. Applied Soil Ecology, 19, 147–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, P. M., Martin, G. B., & Horsley, R. D. (2009). Impact of tillage on field pea following wheat. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89, 281–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, P. M., Anderson, R. L., Lawley, Y. F., Miller, P. R., & Zwinger, S. F. (2012). Organic zero-till in the northern U.S. Great Plains region: Opportunities and obstacles. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 27, 12–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, P. M., Gramig, G. G., & Liebig, M. A. (2013a). Impacts of organic zero tillage systems on crops, weeds, and soil quality. Online. Sustainability, 5, 3172–3201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, P. M., Horsley, R. D., Gunderson, J. J., Winch, T. J., & Martin, G. B. (2013b). Weed growth and crop performance following hairy vetch, rye, and wheat cover crops in a cool semiarid region. Organic Agriculture, 3, 149–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, K. Y. (2001). An overview of some tillage impacts on earthworm population abundance and diversity- implications for functioning in soils. Soil and Tillage Research, 57, 179–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delate, K., Cwach, D., & Chase, C. (2012). Organic no-till system effects on organic soybean, corn, and tomato production and economic performance in Iowa. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 27, 49–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DuPont, S. T., Ferris, H., & Van Horn, M. (2009). Cover crop quality and quantity affect soil food webs and nutrient cycling in soils. Applied Soil Ecology, 41, 157–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C. A., & Bohlen, P. J. (1996). Biology and ecology of earthworms. London: Chapman and Hall. 426 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • El Titi, A. 2003. Effects of tillage on invertebrates in soil ecosystems. El Titi, A., Soil tillage in agroecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 261–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen-Hamela, N. S., Sperattia, A. B., Whalena, J. K., Légèreb, A., & Madramootooc, C. A. (2009). Earthworm populations and growth rates related to long-term crop residue and tillage management. Soil and Tillage Research, 104, 311–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, H., & Bongers, T. (2006). Nematode indicators of organic enrichment. Journal of Nematology, 38, 3–12.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, H., Bongers, T., & de Geode, R. G. M. (2001). A framework for soil food web diagnostics: Extension of the nematode faunal analysis concept. Applied Soil Ecology, 18, 13–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, H., Sánchez-Moreno, S., & Brennan, E. B. (2012). Structure, functions and interguild relationships of the soil nematode assemblage in organic vegetable production. Applied Soil Ecology, 61, 16–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiscus, D. A., & Neher, D. A. (2002). Distinguishing sensitivity of free-living soil nematode genera to physical and chemical disturbances. Ecological Applications, 12, 565–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freckman, D. W. (1988). Bacterivorous nematodes and organic matter decomposition. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 24, 195–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freckman, D. W., & Ettema, C. H. (1993). Assessing nematode communities in agroecosystems of varying human intervention. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 45, 239–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Chavez, M. D. A., Aitkenhead-Peterson, J. A., Gentry, T. J., Zuberer, D., Hons, F., & Loeppert, R. (2010). Soil microbial community, C, N, and P response to long term tillage and crop rotation. Soil and Tillage Research, 106, 285–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, B. S., Ritz, K., & Wheatley, R. E. (1994). Nematodes as indicators of enhanced microbiological activity in a Scottish organic farming system. Soil Use and Management, 10, 20–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunapala, N., & Scow, K. M. (1998). Dynamics of soil microbial biomass and activity in conventional and organic farming systems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 30, 805–816.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halde, C., & Entz, M. H. (2014). Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) production system performance under organic no-till and two organic tilled systems in a cool subhumid continental climate. Soil and Tillage Research, 143, 145–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halde, C., Gulden, R. H., & Entz, M. H. (2014). Selecting cover crop mulches for organic rotational no-till systems in Manitoba, Canada. Agronomy Journal, 106, 1193–1204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halde, C., Bamford, K. C., & Entz, M. H. (2015). Crop agronomic performance under a six-year continuous organic no-till system and other tilled and conventionally-managed systems in the northern Great Plains of Canada. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 213, 121–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, N. C., Allen, B. L., Baumhardt, R. L., & Lyon, D. J. (2012). Research achievements and adoption of no-till, dryland cropping in the semi-arid U.S. Great Plains. Field Crops Research, 132, 196–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatfield, P. G., Lenssen, A. W., Spezzano, T. M., Blodgett, S. L., Goosey, H. B., Kott, R. W., & Marlow, C. B. (2007). Incorporating sheep into dryland grain production systems II. Impact on changes in biomass and weed density. Small Ruminant Research, 67, 216–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrix, P. H., Parmelee, R. W., Crossley, D. A., Coleman, D. C., Odum, E. P., & Groffman, P. M. (1986). Detritus food webs in conventional and no-tillage agroecosystems. Bioscience, 36, 374–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henneron, L., Aubert, M., Bureau, F., Dumas, Y., Ningre, F., Perret, S., Richter, C., Balandier, P., & Chauvat, M. (2015). Forest management adaptation to climate change: A cornelian dilemma between drought resistance and soil macro-detritivore functional diversity. Journal of Applied Ecology, 52, 913–927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, P. R. (1998). Use of rotational tillage for corn and soybean production in the eastern Corn Belt. Journal of Production Agriculture, 11, 125–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingham, R. E., Trofymow, J. A., Ingham, E. R., & Coleman, D. C. (1985). Interactions of bacteria, fungi, and their nematode grazers: Effects on nutrient cycling and plant growth. Ecological Monographs, 55, 119–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansa, J., Mozafar, A., Anken, T., Ruh, R., Sanders, I. R., & Frossard, E. (2002). Diversity and structure of AMF communities as affected by tillage in a temperate soil. Mycorrhiza, 12, 225–234.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jinbo, Z., Changchuna, S., & Wenyan, Y. (2007). Effects of cultivation on soil microbiological properties in a freshwater marsh soil in Northeast China. Soil and Tillage Research, 93, 231–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joschko, M., Gebbers, R., Barkusky, D., Rogasik, J., Höhn, W., Hierold, W., Fox, C. A., & Timmer, J. (2009). Location-dependency of earthworm response to reduced tillage on sandy soil. Soil and Tillage Research, 102, 55–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabir, Z. (2005). Tillage or no-tillage: Impact on mycorrhizae. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 85, 23–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kibblewhite, M. G., Ritz, K., & Swift, M. J. (2008). Soil health in agricultural systems. Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B, 363, 685–701.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kladivko, E. J. (2001). Soil and Tillage Research, 61, 61–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Köhl, L., Oehl, F., Van Der, H., & Marcel, G. A. (2014). Agricultural practices indirectly influence plant productivity and ecosystem. Ecological Applications, 24, 1842–1853.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López-Fando, C., & Bello, A. (1995). Variability in soil nematode populations due to tillage and crop rotation in semi-arid mediterranean agrosystems. Soil and Tillage Research, 36, 59–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundquist, E. J., Jackson, L. E., Scow, K. M., & Hsu, C. (1999). Changes in microbial biomass and community composition, and soil carbon and nitrogen pools after incorporation of rye into three California agricultural soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 31, 221–236.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mäder, P., Fliessbach, A., Dubois, D., Gunst, L., Fried, P., & Niggli, U. (2002). Soil fertility and biodiversity in organic farming. Science, 296, 1694–1697.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, S., Goosey, H., O’Neill, K. M., & Menalled, F. (2016). Impact of integrated sheep grazing for cover crop termination on weed and ground beetle (Coleoptera:Carabidae) communities. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 218, 141–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McSorley, R., Seal, D. R., Klassen, W., Wang, K. H., & Hooks, C. R. R. (2009). Non-target effects of sunn hemp and marigold cover crops on the soil invertebrate community. Nematropica, 39, 235–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melander, B., Munier-Jolain, N., Charles, R., Wirth, J., Schwarz, J., van der Weide, R., Bonin, L., Jensen, P., & Kudsk, P. (2013). European perspectives on the adoption of nonchemical weed management in reduced-tillage systems for arable crops. Weed Technology, 27, 231–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menalled, F. D., Smith, R. G., Dauer, J. T., & Fox, T. B. (2007). Impact of agricultural management on carabid communities and weed seed Predation. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment, 118, 49–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metzke, M., Potthoff, M., Quintern, M., Heß, J., & Joergensen, R. G. (2007). Effect of reduced tillage systems on earthworm communities in a 6-year organic rotation. European Journal of Soil Biology, 43, 209–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirsky, S. B., Curran, W. S., Mortensen, D. A., Ryan, M. R., & Shumway, D. L. (2009). Control of cereal rye with a roller/crimper as influenced by cover crop phenology. Agronomy Journal, 101, 1589–1596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirsky, S. B., Ryan, M. R., Curran, W. S., Teasdale, J. R., Maul, J., Spargo, J. T., Moyer, J., Grantham, A. M., Weber, D., & Way, T. R. (2012). Cover crop-based rotational no-till grain production in the mid-Atlantic region. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 27, 31–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mischler, R., Dulker, S. W., Curran, W. S., & Wilson, D. (2010). Hairy vetch management for no-till organic corn production. Agronomy Journal, 102, 355–362.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moyer, J. (2011). Organic no-till farming. Austin: Acres USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moyniham, M. (2010). Status of organic agriculture in Minnesota: A report to the Minnesota legislature 2010. Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Web/URL: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/~/media/Files/news/govrelations/organicstatusreport.ashx

  • Nord, E. A., Curran, W. S., Mortensen, D. A., Mirsky, S. B., & Jones, B. P. (2011). Integrating multiple tactics for managing weeds in high residue no-till soybean. Agronomy Journal, 103, 1542–1551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omonode, R. A., Gal, A., Stott, D. E., Abney, T. S., & Vyn, T. J. (2006). Short-term versus continuous chisel and no-till effects on soil carbon and nitrogen. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 70, 419–425.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reberg-Horton, S. C., Grossman, J. M., Kornecki, T. S., Meijer, A. D., Price, A. J., Place, G. T., & Webster, T. M. (2012). Utilizing cover crop mulches to reduce tillage in organic systems in the southeastern USA. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 27, 41–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reeleder, R. D., Miller, J. J., Ball Coelho, B. R., & Roy, R. C. (2006). Impacts of tillage, cover crop, and nitrogen on populations of earthworms, microarthropods, and soil fungi in a cultivated fragile soil. Applied Soil Ecology, 33, 243–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roger-Estrade, J., Anger, C., Bertrand, M., & Richard, G. (2010). Tillage and soil ecology: Partners for sustainable agriculture. Soil and Tillage Research, 111, 33–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sagar, S., Yeates, G. W., & Shepherd, T. G. (2001). Cultivation effects on soil biological properties, micro fauna and organic matter dynamics in Eutric Gleysol and Gleyic Luvisol soils in New Zealand. Soil and Tillage Research, 58, 55–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Säle, V., Aguilera, P., Laczko, E., Mäder, P., Berner, A., Zihlmann, U., van der Heijden, M. G. A., & Oehl, F. (2015). Impact of conservation tillage and organic farming on the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 84, 38–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Moreno, S., Ferris, H., Nicola, N. L., & Zalom, F. G. (2009). Effects of agricultural management on nematode – mite assemblages: Soil food web indices as predictors of mite community composition. Applied Soil Ecology, 41, 107–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shirtliffe, S. J., & Johnson, E. N. (2012). Progress towards no-till organic weed control in western Canada. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 27, 60–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva, E. M. (2014). Screening five fall-sown cover crops for use in organic no-till crop production in the Upper Midwest. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 38, 748–763.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stirling, G. R. (Ed.). (2014). Biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes. Wallingford: CABI Publishing, CAB International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, D. L., Miller, P. R., Merrill, S. D., & McConkey, B. G. (2010). Soil and water conservation advances in the semiarid Northern Great Plains. In T. M. Zobeck & W. F. Schillinger (Eds.), Soil and water conservation advances in the United States (pp. 81–102). Madison: SSSA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale, J. R. (1996). Contribution of cover crops to weed management in sustainable agriculture systems. Journal of Production Agriculture, 9, 475–479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Temme, A. J. A. M., & Verburg, P. H. (2011). Mapping and modeling of changes in agricultural intensity in Europe. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 140, 46–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaisman, I., Entz, M. H., Flaten, D. N., & Gulden, R. H. (2011). Blade roller- green manure interactions on nitrogen dynamics, weeds, and organic wheat. Agronomy Journal, 103, 879–889.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venterea, R. T., Baker, J. M., Dolan, M. S., & Spokas, K. A. (2006). Carbon and nitrogen storage are greater under biennial tillage in a Minnesota corn–soybean rotation. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 70, 1752–1762.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K., & McSorley, R. (2005). Effect of soil ecosystem management on nematode pests, nutrient cycling, and plant health. APSnet Feature Articles. https://doi.org/10.1094/APSnetFeatures/2005-0105.

  • Wetzel, K., Silvab, G., Matczinskia, U., Oehl, F., & Fester, T. (2014). Superior differentiation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities from till and no-till plots by morphological spore identification when compared to T-RFLP. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 72, 88–96.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wortmann, C. S., Quincke, A., Drijber, R. A., Mamo, M., & Franti, T. (2008). Soil microbial community change and recovery after one- time tillage of continuous no-till. Agronomy Journal, 100, 1681–1686. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2007.0317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, A. N., Hu, J. L., Lin, X. G., Zhu, A. N., Wang, J. H., Dai, J., & Wong, M. H. (2012). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community structure and diversity in response to 3-year conservation tillage management in a sandy loam soil in North China. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 12, 835–843.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuber, S. M., & Villamil, M. B. (2016). Meta-analysis approach to assess effect of tillage on microbial biomass and enzyme activities. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 97, 176–187.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Innovation, Olds College, Alberta, Canada

    Shabeg S. Briar

  2. Central Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Moccasin, MT, USA

    Patrick M. Carr

  3. Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA

    Greta G. Gramig

  4. Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

    Fabian D. Menalled & Perry R. Miller

Authors
  1. Shabeg S. Briar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Patrick M. Carr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Greta G. Gramig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fabian D. Menalled
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Perry R. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick M. Carr .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inter University Centre for Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture (IUCOFSA), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    C. Sarath Chandran

  2. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    Sabu Thomas

  3. Inter University Centre for Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture (IUCOFSA), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    M. R. Unni

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Briar, S.S., Carr, P.M., Gramig, G.G., Menalled, F.D., Miller, P.R. (2019). Current Status and Soil Biology Impacts of Organic Conservation Tillage in the US Great Plains. In: Sarath Chandran, C., Thomas, S., Unni, M. (eds) Organic Farming. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04657-6_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation