A new Montana State University Extension bulletin is available on nutrient management practices for no-till and minimum till systems. Details on similarities and differences in recommended fertilizer management practices among tillage systems are described in Nutrient Management in No-till and Minimum Till Systems. (PDF/2.4MB) "Research has shown that no-till and minimum till systems affect water infiltration, soil moisture, soil temperature, nutrient accumulation in certain areas of the soil profile, soil aeration and microbial populations and activity," says Kent McVay, the MSU Extension cropping systems specialist at the Southern Agricultural Research Center. Because these factors all affect soil fertility, "understanding differences among tillage systems should assist in optimizing fertilizer use and crop yields," he adds. The publication is available free online in PDF.
Related ATTRA Publication: Pursuing Conservation Tillage Systems for Organic Crop Production
