Conservation tillage for a sustainable sugar beet production in Germany – environmental and phytopathological aspects

Autor/in: Koch, H.-J., C. Pringas, J. Scherer
Jahr: 2003
Zeitschrift: Proc. 1. joint IIRB-ASSBT-Congress
Verlag: San Antonio
Seite/n: 61-69

Published in Projekt Additional publications of the department agronomy / Abteilung Agronomy

Abstract

Soil compaction and soil erosion can be severe environmental hazards which are closely related to agricultural land use. In arable cropping conservation tillage can be an effective means to protect the environment against these hazards. In Germany, ecological and economical benefits have resulted in a substantial increase of the beet crop area cultivated with conservation tillage systems during the past years (about 25 % of the national beet crop in year 2002). These tillage systems require less agricultural inputs in terms of energy (minus 8 %) and are characterized by plant residues remaining on the soil surface (10 to 50 % soil cover) to prevent soil erosion (up to minus 95 % of soil loss). Additionally, stable soil aggregates generated by conservation tillage increase the machine bearing capacity and protect against subsoil compaction. On the other hand, the development of pests and diseases (slugs, DTR and Fusarium sp. in wheat) can be promoted by surface plant residues. These aspects are reviewed with reference to long term results from German field experiments.

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