Crop specific implications of yield and energy use efficiency in non-inversion tillage systems

Abstract

This paper reports how non-inversion (reduced) tillage impacts energy consumption and crop yield, utilising 8 years of replicated field trials undertaken by The New Farming Systems study in the East of England. Tillage regimes include: (1) plough, (2) shallow non-inversion (typically 10 cm), and (3) deep non-inversion (20-25 cm) within two rotations of either (1) winter sown / spring sown crops or (2) winter sown / spring sown + autumn cover crop. Energy use per ha (highest to lowest) was: plough > deep non-inversion > shallow non-inversion. Crop specific and temporal yield responses were observed. Winter sown crops responded favourably to deep non-inversion tillage, and yields improved as the trial progressed. When considered in combination with lower energy input per hectare, energy efficiency increased relative to the plough-only control. Yield response to shallow non-inversion tillage was variable. Spring sown crops, notably spring beans, declined in yield and overall energy efficiency, in the non-inversion tillage treatments.