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Examining the potential for climate change mitigation from zero tillage

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Title Examining the potential for climate change mitigation from zero tillage
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Creator Shamsudheen Mangalassery
S. Sjögersten
D.L. Sparkes
S.J. Mooney
 
Subject climate change mitigation, zero tillage, soil, yield, greenhouse gases
 
Description Not Available
The benefits of reduced and zero-tillage systems have been presented as reducing runoff, enhancing water retention
and preventing soil erosion. There is also general agreement that the practice can conserve and enhance soil
organic carbon (C) levels to some extent. However, their applicability in mitigating climate change has been
debated extensively, especially when the whole profile of C in the soil is considered, along with a reported risk
of enhanced nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The current paper presents a meta-analysis of existing literature to
ascertain the climate change mitigation opportunities offered by minimizing tillage operations. Research suggests
zero tillage is effective in sequesteringC in both soil surface and sub-soil layers in tropical and temperate conditions.
The C sequestration rate in tropical soils can be about five times higher than in temperate soils. In tropical soils, C
accumulation is generally correlated with the duration of tillage. Reduced N2O emissions under long-term zero
tillage have been reported in the literature but significant variability exists in the N2O flux information. Longterm,
location-specific studies are needed urgently to determine the precise role of zero tillage in driving N2O
fluxes. Considering the wide variety of crops utilized in zero-tillage studies, for example maize, barley, soybean
and winter wheat, only soybean has been reported to show an increase in yield with zero tillage (7·7% over 10
years). In several cases yield reductions have been recorded e.g. c. 1–8% over 10 years under winter wheat and
barley, respectively, suggesting zero tillage does not bring appreciable changes in yield but that the difference
between the two approaches may be small. A key question that remains to be answered is: are any potential
reductions in yield acceptable in the quest to mitigate climate change, given the importance of global food security?
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Date 2019-06-03T09:34:40Z
2019-06-03T09:34:40Z
2015-03-03
 
Type Research Paper
 
Identifier Mangalassery, S., Sjögersten, S., Sparkes, D.L., Mooney, S.J., 2015. Examining the potential for climate change mitigation from zero tillage. The Journal of Agricultural Science 153, 1151-1173.
0021-8596
http://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/handle/123456789/20058
 
Language English
 
Relation Not Available;
 
Publisher Not Available