Effects of Conservation Tillage on Crop Cultivation and Production

Dear Colleagues,

Conservation tillage, along with some complimentary practices such as soil cover and crop diversity has emerged as a viable option to ensure sustainable food production and maintain environmental integrity. The principle of conservation tillage involves maintenance of surface soil cover through retention of crop residues achievable by practicing different intensity of tillage treatments and mechanical soil disturbance. Retention of crop residue protects the soil from direct impact of raindrops and sunlight while the minimal soil disturbance enhances soil biological activities as well as soil air and water movement. Crop grown with conservation tillage system has more climate adaptation (e.g., drought and high temperatures) benefits. The potential benefits of conservation tillage along with other practices such as soil cover in reducing carbon and nitrous-oxide emissions to the atmosphere, economic advantages associated with reductions in crop establishment time and energy use cannot be over emphasized. Soil become as most vulnerable natural resources and its quality status directly and indirectly influence human possibilities in food production. Questions about soil degradation and how can we prevent its further degradation, especially in the lights of climate changes, today is one of the most important aspects of human existence on global, regional and especially on local levels.

Therefore, to achieve sustainable food production with minimal impact on the (agro)environment (soil, water and the atmosphere), conservation soil tillage practices become more important now than ever.

Dr. Danijel Jug
Dr. Vladimír Smutný
Dr. Irena Jug
Dr. Edward Wilczewski
Guest Editors

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