Effects of Conservation Agriculture on Soil Nitrogen Oxide N2O Emissions and Crop Yield in Global Cereal Cropping Systems
Zhu, Y., Li, Z., Zhao, D., Zhang, B., Zhu, B., Yao, Z., Kiese, R., Butterbach-Bahl, K. & Zhou, M. 2025. Global Change Biology. 31 (1) Article e70048.
Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)'s insight:
This study looks at the impacts of no-till individually and with other CA practices on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and yields using a review of 1,270 observations from 86 peer-reviewed articles. Results show that yields increased by 9.1% while reducing N2O emissions by 6.8% compared to conventional tillage (CT). The results also showed that reduction of N2O emissions and yields were even greater when using other CA practices like residue retention and rotations; reductions in N2O of 15% and increase in yields of more than 30%.
The mitigation of N2O emissions was higher in dry versus humid climates. They conclude that "Smallholder farms in Central Asia, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa appear particularly suitable for the adoption of conservation agriculture, whereas, in humid climates, high nitrogen (N) input management and silt-clay loam soil should be applied with caution.
Monitoring the Spatial Distribution of Cover Crops and Tillage Practices Using Machine Learning and Environmental Drivers across Eastern South Dakota
Jain, K., John, R., Torbick, N., Kolluro, V., Saraf, S., Chandel, A., Henebry, G.M. & Jarchow, M. 2024. Environmental Management. 74 (4) 742-756.
Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)'s insight:
This study used multiple satellite-derived indices and environmental drivers to infer the level of tillage intensity and identify the presence of cover crops in eastern South Dakota using environmental drivers acquired from different remote sensing datasets for 2022 and 2023 to map conservation agriculture practice
They successfully detected the presence of cover crops and the tillage intensity in the study region. Their analysis shows the percent use of cover crops in maize and soybeans and adoption of CA tillage practices. This approach benefits both public and private sector organizations by enabling them to track landscapes remotely and efficiently. This, in turn, can incentivize farmers to adopt conservation practices, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts and fostering sustainable agricultural development.
Potential Long-Term, Global Effects of Enhancing the Domestic Terrestrial Carbon Sink in the United States through No-Till and Cover Cropping
Weber, M., Wise, M., Lamers, P., Wang, Y., Avery, G., Morris, K.A. & Edmonds, J. 2024. Carbon Balance and Management. 19 (1) Article 18.
Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)'s insight:
This paper from the US used an integrated energy-economy-land-climate model to assess the global land, trade, and emissions impacts of an adoption of domestic no-till farming and cover cropping practices based on carbon pricing. They found that adoption of these practices depends on which aspects of terrestrial carbon are valued. For example valuing afforestation comes at the expense of agricultural production. In contrast, a policy valuing soil carbon in agricultural systems specifically indicates strong adoption of no-till and cover cropping for key crops. They conclude that "adoption of no-till and cover cropping practices in the US could increase the terrestrial carbon sink with limited effects on crop availability for food and fodder markets." The paper ends with suggestions for further research.
Global Synthesis of Cover Crop Impacts on Main Crop Yield
Peng, Y., Wang, L., Jacinthe, P-A. & Ren, W. 2024. Field Crops Research. 310. Article 109343.
Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)'s insight:
Since plant residues are important for CA no-till management, I chose this paper that looks at the Global impact of cover crops in farming systems. CA plus cover crops is gaining popularity among farmers in the USA. This study assessed the global impact of cover crops on yield. They reviewed 104 articles to collect field-based yield data (1027 records) to quantify the impact of CC's on main crop yields. Their data showed that CC's led to an overall increase in major crop yield of 2.6%. The utilization of leguminous cover crops, cultivation in coarse soil texture and dryland areas, and the implementation of longer cover cropping duration were found to be conducive scenarios to enhance crop yields. Conversely, the use of non-legume cover crops, introducing them to fields under a short-term no-till system, especially in fine-textured soils, lowered main crop yields. More data is available in the paper but they conclude that understanding and comprehensive information advances the appropriate and targeted adoption of cover crops for policymakers, extension services, and farmers.
Development and Testing of a Precision Hoeing System for Re-compacted Ridge Tillage in Maize
Alagbo, O.O., Saile, M., Spaeth, M., Schumacher, M. & Gerhards, R. 2024. Heliyon. 10 (23) article e40527.
Cornell Conservation Agriculture Group (soilhealth.org)'s insight:
This paper looks at Ridge Tillage (RT) in Germany that results in better root growth and reduced erosion. The study develops an auto-steered living mulch seeder using a navigation satellite system to guide making ridges. It also compares weed control for ridge-hoeing with conventional flat tillage (FT). They also looked at RT compared to FT for maize root development, yield, soil temperature, and soil moisture. Root penetration was 40 % higher in RT than in FT with RT producing more maize root biomass compared to FT.
