Instant Insights: Zero/No-Till Cultivation

Dr Gottlieb Basch is a Full Professor in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Évora, Portugal. He is President of the European Conservation Agriculture Federation and has contributed to a number of EIP AGRI Focus Groups, EU Horizon and other research projects on more sustainable methods of crop cultivation. Michael retired from USDA-NRCS in January 2023 after a forty-two-year career. At retirement Michael served as the National Erosion Database Steward and Agronomist at National Soil Survey Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Some select awards Michael received included the Hugh Hammond Bennett award for international work in soil and water management from the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Nebraska Agribusiness Assocation Partnership and Researcher/Educator of the Year awards, Nebraska FFA Assocation Honorary State FFA Degree and many more.

Chapter 1 - Assessing the effects of no-till cultivation practices on soil health: Alison Hamm and Daniel K. Manter, USDA-ARS, USA;

1 Introduction
2 Soil physical properties
3 Soil chemical properties
4 Soil biological properties
5 Case studies
6 Future trends and conclusion
7 Where to look for further information
8 References


Chapter 2 - The role of no or minimum mechanical soil disturbance in Conservation Agriculture systems: Theodor Friedrich, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy;

1 Introduction
2 Effects of soil tillage and tillage implements on the soil
3 Minimizing soil disturbance in farming
4 Conclusion
5 Where to look for further information
6 References


Chapter 3 - Soil management practices and benefits in Conservation Agriculture systems: Michele Pisante, University of Teramo, Italy; Angelica Galieni, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics and Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Italy; Gottlieb Basch, University of Évora, Portugal; Theodor Friedrich, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy; and Fabio Stagnari, University of Teramo, Italy;

1 Introduction
2 The principles of CA
3 Environmental benefits and ecosystem services
4 Economic benefits
5 Future trends
6 Conclusion
7 Where to look for further information
8 References


Chapter 4 - The effects of no-till and related practices in preventing soil erosion: Michael Kucera, formerly USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)/National Soil Survey Center, USA;

Introduction
The effects of no-till (NT) practices on soil properties related to erosion risk
No-till (NT) practices and water erosion risk
No-till (NT) practices and wind erosion risk
Summary
References