Gottlieb Basch

This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on weed management in regenerative agriculture. The first chapter provides an analytical review of the adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Sub-Saharan Africa by smallholder farmers, focusing on the challenges posed by weed management. The chapter assesses chemical and non-chemical weed control methods and their benefits in CA systems. The second chapter considers the adoption of integrated weed management (IWM) in organic cropping systems, focussing on the key challenges that can arise as a result of this adoption. It also presents examples of successful integration between preventive, cultural and direct tactics in an IWM strategy. The third chapter highlights an increasing need for IWM strategies in the face of herbicide-resistant weeds, soil degradation and environmental contamination by herbicides. The chapter reviews the cultural techniques available to manage weeds in a sustainable manner. The fourth chapter introduces the concept of using crop rotations and cover crops as an effective and sustainable strategy for controlling weeds and looks ahead to future research in this area. The final chapter utilises four detailed case studies from across Europe to illustrate the effectiveness of combined methods to control weeds and preserve/improve farmers’ income.

This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on conservation tillage in agriculture. The first chapter reviews types of tillage and soil disturbance and how different soil management techniques affect the cropping cycle. The chapter also discusses how soil disturbance can be minimised during key farming operations. The second chapter describes the principles of Conservation Agriculture (CA), looking primarily at soil management. It also examines the key concepts of no-tillage agriculture, as well as the environmental and economic benefits these techniques offer. The third chapter discusses the role of conservation tillage in organic farming, reviewing over 20 years of practical, on-farm research. It outlines the main benefits associated with conservation tillage, whilst also considering the challenges that arise with its implementation and how these can be addressed. The fourth chapter explores the emergence of conservation tillage (CT) as an innovation to address stagnant wheat yields in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia. The chapter explores the benefits of CT for soil health and crop yields, and highlights current obstacles facing region-wide adoption of CT. The final chapter reviews the advantages of zero-till maize cultivation, including reduced soil erosion and nutrient losses. It also summarises best management practices to optimise zero-till maize systems.

This book features four peer-reviewed reviews on zero/no-till cultivation. The first chapter assesses the effect of no-till (NT) practices on soil health. The chapter explores the wide range of research on the effects of NT on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, as well as continuing challenges to address in NT research and practice. The second chapter reviews the role of no or minimum soil disturbance in Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems, focussing on the effects of soil tillage and tillage implements on the soil. The chapter also explores how soil disturbance can by minimised during farming activities such as land preparation, seeding, planting, pest, disease and weed management, and harvesting. The third chapter provides a useful overview of the core principles of CA before moving onto examining the concepts of no-tillage agriculture, cover crops and crop residue management. The chapter also discusses the environmental benefits and ecosystem services linked to CA as well as economic benefits. The final chapter considers the use of NT and the importance of a fully-integrated cropping and residue management system to maintain soil health and productivity. The chapter also reviews how NT can be used to reduce erosion risk, as well as its role in optimising soil functions.