No-till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture, 1st ed. 2020 Challenges and Opportunities

This book is a comprehensive summary of current global research on no-till farming, and its benefits and challenges from various agronomic, environmental, social and economic perspectives. It details the characteristics and future requirements of no-till farming systems across different geographic and climatic regions, and outlines what is needed to increase the uptake of no-till farming globally.

Over 35 chapters, this book covers in detail the agronomic and soil management issues that must be resolved to ensure the successful implementation of these systems. Important economic, environmental, social and policy considerations are discussed. It also features a series of case studies across a number of regions globally, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for no-till and how these may vary depending on climate and geopolitical location.

This book is a remarkable compilation by experts in no-till farming systems. The promotion and expansion of no-till farming systems worldwide will be critical for food security, and resource and environmental sustainability. This is an invaluable reference for both researchers and practitioners grappling with the challenges of feeding the world?s rising population in an environment increasingly impacted by climate change. It is an essential reading for those seeking to understand the complexity of no-till farming systems and how best to optimise these systems in their region.

Preface

Part I Agronomy

No-till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture: An Overview

Managing Crop Rotations in No-till Farming Systems

Managing Cover Crops in No-till Farming Systems

Challenges and Opportunities in Fertilizer Placement in No-till Farming Systems

Challenges and Opportunities for Weed Management in No-till Farming Systems

Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Pests in No-till Farming Systems

Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Diseases in No-till Farming Systems

Developing Organic Minimum Tillage Farming Systems for Central and Northern European Conditions

Part II Soil Management

Controlling Soil Erosion using No-till Farming Systems

No-Till Farming Systems for Enhancing Soil Water Storage

Enhancing Soil Aggregation in No-till Farming Systems

Resilient and Dynamic Soil Biology

Earthworms in No-till: the key to Soil Biological Farming

Pesticide Retention, Degradation, and Transport Off-Farm

Part III Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

No-till Farming Systems to Sequester Soil Carbon: Potential and Reality

No-till Farming Systems to Reduce Nitrous oxide Emissions and Increase Methane Uptake

Soil carbon Sequestration as an Elusive Climate Mitigation Tool

Part IV Economic and Social Impacts

Socioeconomic Impacts of Conservation Agriculture based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) with Particular Reference to South Asia

No-Till Farming Systems in Resource-Limited Contexts: Understanding Complex Adoption Behaviour and Implications for Policy

Part V Regional Strategies in No-till Farming Systems

Lessons Learnt from Long-Term Experiments on No-till Systems in Semi-Arid Regions

Lessons Learnt from Long-Term No-till Systems Regarding Soil Management in Humid Tropical and Subtropical Regions

No-Till Farming Systems in South Asia

No-till Farming Systems in Rain-fed Areas of China

No-till Farming Systems in Southern Africa

No-Till Farming Systems in Australia

No-till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture in South America

No-till Farming Systems in Europe

No-Till Farming Systems in the Canadian Prairies

Part VI Perspectives

No-Till Farming Systems for Sustaining Soil Health

The Future of No-Till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

Dr Yash Dang is a Senior Research Fellow at The University of Queensland with extensive experience in soil and nutrient management in agricultural systems. He has significant research expertise in the area of crop production in no-till farming systems, as well as in strategic tillage, soil constraint management and sustainable land management practices. Yash has been a passionate advocate for constructive engagement with farmers to develop collaborative, participatory research. He is looking forward to farming systems evolving to meet the global demand for food in an environment increasingly impacted by the challenges of climate change and land degradation. 

Professor Ram Dalal is a Professor at the University of Queensland. He has contributed significantly to creating awareness in the farming, scientific and general community to the seriousness and insidious nature of soil degradation and the importance of no-till farming systems to help increase agricultural sustainability. He has helped develop and implement restorative practices for sustainable land management both nationally and internationally. It is now nationally recognized by policy makers and politicians that land degradation and sustainable land management are the national and international priorities. 

Includes niche research market in agriculture and ecosystem

Presents new concepts to overcome challenges to adopting no-tillage for sustainable agriculture

Serves as a guide for policymakers on no-tillage agriculture