2023/10/20 by Christian Longueval, Longueval, Christian, Sylvain Hypolite +17
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Agriculture and Rural Development Research
paper · doi:10.17180/15qh-xz87
The project explores the feasibility of very simplified techniques of arable crops sowing (TTSI:from the superficial till to direct sowing) by relying on the experience of innovative pioneer farmers. Crops in south- west of France have contrasting behaviors and results in response to the reduction of soil management. If direct sowing gives good results on cereals, rapeseed and soybeans, it is less successful for sunflower, peas and sorghum, crops where a tillage must be maintained. For corn, direct seeding is possible to achieve a grain yield of 100-110 q/ha. Weed density is closely related to crop density and no major problem requiring the return to ploughing was met. However TTSI uses more herbicide than the conventional tillage system. The reduction or removal of soil tillage requires crop rotations and implementation of intercrops able to ensure soil cracking in depth and to support soil biological activity. The TTSI economic results are satisfactory. Investigations have documented increase in organic matter of topsoil and intensity of the biological activity. Energy consumption and GHG emissions have been measured or calculated and are lower than values for the conventional tillage system.