OLD SERA020: Southern Conservation Tillage Systems Conference
Statement of Issues and Justification
Project's Primary Website is at http://www.ag.auburn.edu/aux/nsdl/sctcsa/ (direct link can be found under LINKS)The development of sustainable farming systems is needed to ensure an adequate food and fiber supply for the United States and the rest of the world. Conservation tillage systems have been used for a variety of crops in the southern United States. These new practices have brought about considerable changes in production systems in the region. The scientific community, farmers, consultants, and other practitioners continue to debate the role and impact of conservation tillage production systems on crop production, the environment, and the farm economy. Thus, there is a need to continue to collect and disseminate data on how conservation tillage management can be used to enhance sustainability.
Many positive impacts of conservation tillage production have been documented. These include reduced sediment load in surface waters, reduced wind erosion, improved soil physical properties and tilth, and water conservation. Economic benefits of conservation tillage have been documented in circumstances where crop yields are maintained or increased when compared with conventional tillage. The ability to efficiently transition to reduce tillage has also been aided by development and a release of herbicide-resistant crops and improvement in conservation tillage equipment and implements. These technologies along with others will continue to be compared between conventional and conservation tillage systems and among conservation tillage systems in the southern United States.
This conference has been an extremely useful forum for discussing problems related to conservation tillage technology. New and continuing questions that need to be addressed include defining shifts in pest populations, including weeds, insects, disease, and nematodes, in reduced tillage systems continues to be an important component of research efforts in the southern region. The role of transgenic crops and the flexibility they offer in conservation tillage systems continues to be documented in the southern region. Potential resistance of weeds to herbicides such as glyphosate will be an important issue for practitioners to deal with in the future. Increased use of fossil fuels and pesticides requires research to lessen the impact on the economy and the environment.
Concerns continue to exist relative to environmental effects of tillage systems on surface and groundwater contamination and nutrient loss. The impact of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen on sensitive watersheds continues to be at the forefront of crop production systems. Enhancing the understanding of relationships between tillage systems, fertilizer amendments, and environmental impact will help predict potential problems and will assist growers and their advisors develop solutions.
Web site: http://www2.cropsci.ncsu.edu/ctcsa2004
Up to date annual reports are present. 2004 Proceedings will be in place by July 1
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