2026/04/30 by Fabien Ferchaud, Gwenaëlle Lashermes, Nicolas Munier-Jolain +1 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Agricultural Systems and Practices #Agriculture #Agroecology #Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems #Climate change impacts on agriculture #Integrated farming #Integrated pest management #Natural farming #Tillage
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s43247-026-03575-z
openalex publication_date 2026/04/30 · openalex created_date 2026/05/05 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Agroecological transitions face a dual imperative: reducing pesticide reliance and minimising soil disturbance for climate mitigation. However, the blanket promotion of no-till practices may hinder ecological innovation by overlooking real-world trade-offs. This article re-examines tillage as a strategic practice in pesticide-free systems, especially for weed and pest control and cover crop management. We synthesise recent findings on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions, showing that tillage impacts SOC distribution in the soil profile more than stock, and that nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions can offset potential SOC gains under no-till. SOC stocks are mostly controlled by the quantity and diversity of carbon inputs. We argue for an integrated, systems-based agroecological approach that assesses tillage within the broader framework of carbon inputs, ecological functions, and greenhouse gas balances. Reframing tillage is essential to design resilient, low-input, climate-positive farming systems. Tillage can provide key ecosystem services for non-chemical management of cover crops and weeds, pests, and soilborne pathogens, without undermining soil organic carbon stocks or greenhouse gas emission reduction goal, based on a perspective on tillage as a strategic practice.