No-Till Management for Soil Health

Josh Beniston, PhD

What is soil structure ?

Figure from Jacke and Toensmeier (2005)

Soil Structure

Figure from Brady and Weil

Formation of Soil Aggregates

How do soils hold Carbon ?

1. In living biomass (microbes, etc.).2. Organic materials are surrounded by soil

aggregates.3. Small organic molecules bind to the surface

of soil clays.4. Some organic materials occur in forms that

are resistant to decomposition (biochar).

Figure from Jacke and Toensmeier (2005)

1. Living Biomass

2. Inside soil aggregates

3. Bound to clay minerals

Soil Structure and Carbon Storage

Soil Structure and Water Storage

Figure from UN FAO

No Till AgricultureSoil Structure RestoredSoil Carbon Increases

Natural Vegetation Conventional TillageConventional Tillage

Original Vegetation Steady State Soil Structure and Carbon Dynamics

Tillage Agriculture Soil Structure Disrupted Soil Carbon Depletion

Photo by J.C. de M. Sa

Industrial No-Till Agriculture

Industrial No-Till Agriculture

Photo by J.C. de M. Sa

Photo by J.C. de M. Sa

Organic No-Till: Crop RollerPhoto from resilience.org

Organic No-Till: Permanent Raised Beds

Organic No-Till: Permanent Raised Beds

Sheet Mulching

Sustainable Agriculture Classes at Santa Rosa Junior College

• Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (AGRI 60) Spring and Fall

• Composting for Organic Farming and Gardening (SUSAG 103) - Spring

• Intro to Sustainable Agriculture (SUSAG 50) Spring and Fall

• Organic Crop Planning and Production (SUSAG 109) - Spring

40 years no till - all residues applied as mulch – 5% OM – Coshocton, OH - July 2012

27 years annual tillage – 1.8% OM –

Coshocton, OH – July 2012 (same day)

Thank You !

Questions?