Ecology of low-input, no-tillage agroecosystems

• Published in: Agriculture, ecosystems & environment ecosystems & environment, 1989, Vol.27 (1), p.331-345
• Main Authors: House, G.J., Brust, G.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; biogeochemical cycles; Biological and medical sciences; biological control; conventional tillage; cultural control; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; insect pests; no-tillage; soil fauna; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; tillage
• ISSN: 0167-8809; 1873-2305
• DOI: 10.1016/0167-8809(89)90096-0

Low-input, no-tillage agroecosystems are a category of low-input, sustainable agroecosystems. No-tillage in combination with lower inputs generate ecological interactions similar to those occurring in natural terrestrial ecosystems. Primary production, predation, consumption, decomposition and nutrient cycling of low-input, no-tillage systems mimic natural system behavior to a greater extent than conventionally tilled or plowed systems. The similarity of low-input, no-tillage systems to natural systems has a number of positive agronomic effects. Nutrients cycle more conservatively, decomposition of plant residues is slower, thus conserving soil moisture, and biological control activity, especially arthropod predation and weed consumption, is higher than in conventional systems. In this paper, we defend and provide experimental evidence for our contention that the enhancement of soil biota and activity under low-input, no-tillage conditions promotes interactions beneficial to agricultural production at several ecological levels.