No-till for Cereal Crops on the Bălţi Steppe of Moldova

Abstract

Agriculture across the Steppes faces many challenges. No-till is a promising option for transition to more sustainable farming systems. However, simple replacement of the plough by a ploughless system does not cut the Gordian knot of problems related to crop productivity and soil fertility. Extending Conservation Agriculture requires an holistic approach to farm management oriented towards regenerating soil health that simultaneously cuts the need for soil tillage, synthetic fertilizers, and chemical control of weeds, pests and diseases. Observance of crop rotation is mandatory for adoption of no-till, together with other measures for building soil fertility. Zero tillage of winter cereals after late-harvested predecessors doubles the accumulation of soil moisture during the autumn–winter-spring period relative to conventionally cultivated, early-harvested predecessors, not to mention black fallow.