Why no-tillage

TILLING IS COSTLY

TILLING IS HARMFUL TO THE SOIL STRUCTURE

Real Direct Seeding integrates

Ploughing is harmful

• the integrity and load-bearing capacity of the soil is good
• the soil is covered by plants throughout the year
• the soil retains nutrients, the erosion is insignificant
• the soil acts as a carbon sink
• the soil breaks down easily, rich in organic matter
• activity of micro-organisms increases
• crop-production capacity of the soil is improved

• breaks down natural integrity of the soil
• the soil surface is uncovered in spring and autumn
• erosion transfers nutrients into bodies of water
• carbon content of soil is reduced
• amount of organic matter is reduced, the soil is compacted
• the activity of micro-organisms is reduced
• crop-production capacity of the soil is impaired

Photos: ECAF

TILLING RELEASES CARBON DIOXIDE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE

No-tillage and plant cover prevent burning of carbon

Amount of carbon increases

Amount of carbon decreases

• humus content of the soil increases plant residues on the soil surface protect and nourish

Untilled soil is a carbon sink

• non-tilled soil and plant residues on the soil surface prevent burning of carbon
• as the amount of organic matter and carbon increases, the soil structure is improved

• in ploughed soil 0,77 t/ha/year, which in connection with oxidation emits into the atmosphere 2,85 t/ha carbon dioxide

Tillage releases carbon dioxide

• tilling makes the soil porous
• the oxygen in the air reacts with carbon in the soil and forms carbon dioxide
• as carbon is reduced, the soil structure is impaired

Photos: ECAF

TILLING DECREASES ACTIVITY OF MICRO-ORGANISMS

Source: Justus-Liebig -yliopisto, Giessen, tri Tebrügge

TILLING CAUSES EMISSIONS TO BODIES OF WATER

Source: Justus-Liebig -yliopisto, Giessen, tri Tebrügge

Runoff test (Spain 2004)