Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Conservation Agriculture in Europe

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Conservation Agriculture

Abstract

This chapter provides a description of the past and recent development of conservation agriculture (CA) in Europe. It reviews scientific and technical literature as well as empirical evidence reported by the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) and its national member associations.

Starting from the early beginnings of CA in Europe, this chapter reviews the development of CA until its current status. This clearly indicates that Europe lags far behind other regions in the world in terms of the adoption and spread of CA. This chapter presents actual data of adoption in several European countries as far as it is reported by national CA associations. It also reviews the most relevant experiences gained throughout Europe, focussing on crop performance, impact on soil quality, and weed, insects and disease incidence, as well as environmental and economic aspects of CA. Challenges and possible reasons for the relatively low uptake of CA in Europe are discussed, including the influence of national and European agricultural policies and regulations on the past evolution of CA uptake in Europe. Finally, this chapter provides an outlook into future prospects for up-scaling of CA in Europe, and what the likely impact of global changes and constraints may mean for the adoption and spread of CA in Europe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alakukku L, Ristolainen A, Salo T (2009) Grain yield and nutrient balance of spring cereals in different tillage systems. Proceedings of the 18th ISTRO Conference, Paper T6-005, ISTRO, Izmir, 15–19 Jun 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Almaraz JJ, Zhou XM, Mabood F, Madramootoo C, Rochette P, Ma B-L, Smith DL (2009) Greenhouse gas fluxes associated with soybean production under two tillage systems in southwestern Quebec. Soil Tillage Res 104(1):134–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anken T, Weisskopf P, Zihlmann U, Forrer H, Jansa J, Perhacova K (2004) Long-term tillage system effects under moist cool conditions in Switzerland. Soil Tillage Res 78(2):171–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arvidsson J (2010) Direct drilling possible with a good preceding crop. Arvensis J Swedish Rural Econ Agric Soc 4:9–10 (Swedish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball BC, Tebrügge F, Sartori L, Giráldez JV, González P (1998) Influence of no-tillage on physical, chemical and biological soil properties. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries, Final Report. Fachverlag Köhler, Giessen, pp 7–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball BC, Scott A, Parker JP (1999) Field N(2)O, CO(2) and CH(4) fluxes in relation to tillage, compaction and soil quality in Scotland. Soil Tillage Res 53(1):29–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ball BC, Crichton I, Horgan GW (2008) Dynamics of upward and downward N2O and CO2 fluxes in ploughed or no-tilled soils in relation to water-filled pore space, compaction and crop presence. Soil Tillage Res 101(1–2):20–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barros JFC, Basch G, de Carvalho M (2008) Effect of reduced doses of a post-emergence graminicide to control Avena sterilis L. and Lolium rigidum G. in no-till wheat under Mediterranean environment. Crop Prot 27(6):1031–1037

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basch G (2002) Mobilização do solo e ambiente. In: Basch G, Teixeira F (eds) Mobilização de conservação do solo. Proceedings “1º Congresso Nacional de Mobilização de Conservação do Solo”. APOSOLO, Évora, pp 51–61 (Portuguese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Carvalho M (1994) Conditions and feasibility of no-tillage in Portugal. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop I. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 93–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Carvalho M (1998) Effect of soil tillage on runoff and erosion under dryland and irrigated conditions on Mediterranean soils. Geoökodynamik XIX(3–4): 257–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Carvalho M, Düring R-A, Martins R (1995) Displacement of herbicides under different tillage systems. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop II. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 25–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Carvalho M, Marques F (1997) Economical considerations on no-tillage crop production in Portugal. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop IV. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 17–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Mendes JP, Carvalho M, Marques F, Santos MJ (1998) Influence of tillage system on water regime in irrigated and rainfed sunflower production. In: Pereira LS, Gowing JW (eds) Water and the environment-innovation issues in irrigation and drainage. E & FN Spon, London, pp 381–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Geraghty J, Streit B, Sturny WG (2008) No-tillage in Europe-state of the art: constraints and perspectives. In: Goddard T, Zoebisch M, Gan Y, Ellis W, Watson A, Sombatpanit S (eds) No-till farming systems, special publication No. 3. World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, Bangkok, pp 159–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Carvalho M, Barros JFC, Calado JMG (2010) The importance of crop residue management for carbon sequestration under no-till. In: ECAF (eds) Towards agro-environmental climate and energetic sustainability. Proceedings of the eur. congress on conservation agriculture. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino, Madrid, pp 241–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Kassam A, Friedrich T, Santos FL, Gubiani PI, Calegari A, Reichert JM, Dos Santos DR (2012a) Sustainable soil water management systems. In: Lal R, Stewart BA (eds) Soil water and agronomic productivity, advances in soil science. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 229–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Calado JMG, Barros JFC, Carvalho M (2012b) Impact of soil tillage and land use on soil organic carbon decline under Mediterranean conditions. Agrociencia 16(3):175–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Basch G, Kassam A, González-Sánchez EJ, Streit B (2012c) Making sustainable agriculture real in CAP 2020: the role of conservation agriculture. ECAF, Brussels, p 43. http://www.ecaf.org/docs/ecaf/ca%20and%20cap%202020.pdf

  • Bäumer K (1970) First experiences with direct drilling in Germany. Neth J Agric Sci-Papers on zero-tillage 18(4):283–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhogal A, Chambers BJ, Whitmore AP, Powlson DS (2007) The effect of reduced tillage practices and organic matter additions on the carbon content of Arable soils. Scientific Report SP0561, Department of environment, food and rural affairs, London, p 47

    Google Scholar 

  • Boguzas V, Kairyte D, Jodaugiene D, Lukosiunas K (2006) Effect of reduced and no-tillage, straw and green manure management on soil physical properties and earthworms. Proceedings of the 17th ISTRO Conference, ISTRO, Kiel, pp. 1566–1577

    Google Scholar 

  • Boisgontier D, Bartholomy P, Lescar L (1994) Feasibility of minimum tillage practices in France. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop IV. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 81–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Borin M, Sartori L, Guipponi C, Mazzoncini M, Düring R-A, Basch G (eds) (1997) Effects of tillage systems on herbicide dissipation—an experimental approach at field scale. Unipress, Padova

    Google Scholar 

  • Bräutigam V, Tebrügge F (1997) Influence of long-termed no-tillage on soil borne plant pathogens and on weeds. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop III. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 17–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Brisson N, Gate P, Gouache D, Charmet G, Oury F-X, Huard F (2010) Why are wheat yields stagnating in Europe? A comprehensive data analysis for France. Field Crops Res 119(1):201–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brito I, Carvalho M, van Tuinen D, Goss M (2006) Effects of soil management on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in fall-sown crops in Mediterranean climates. Proceedings of the 17th ISTRO Conference, ISTRO, Kiel, Aug 28–Sep 2 2006, pp 622–628

    Google Scholar 

  • Calado JMG, Basch G, de Carvalho M (2010) Weed management in no-till winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Crop Prot 29(1):1–6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cannell RQ, Hawes JD (1994) Trends in tillage practices in relation to sustainable crop production with special reference to temperate climates. Soil Tillage Res 30(2–4):245–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cannell RQ, Christian DG, Henderson FKG (1986) A study of mole drainage with simplified cultivation for autumn-sown crops on a clay soil 4. A comparison of direct drilling and moldboard plowing on drained and undrained land on root and shoot growth, nutrient-uptake and yield. Soil Tillage Res 7(3):251–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cantero-Martínez C, Lampurlanés J, Vilardosa JM (1994) Effect of three different tillage systems on water use and root development of barley in a semiarid environment. Proceedings of the 3rd European society for agronomy congress, Abano, 18–22 Sept 1994, pp 660–661

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho M, Basch G (1994) Experiences with direct drilling in Portugal. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop I. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp. 105–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho M, Basch G (1995) Effects of traditional and no-tillage on physical and chemical properties of a Vertisol. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries, Proceedings EC-Workshop II. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 17–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho M, Basch G, Barros J, Calado J, Freixial R, Santos F, Brandão M (2010) Strategies to improve soil organic matter under Mediterranean conditions and its consequences on the wheat response to nitrogen fertilization. In: ECAF (eds) Towards agro-environmental climate and energetic sustainability. Proceedings of the Eur. congress on conservation agriculture. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino, Madrid, pp 303–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho M, Basch G, Calado JMG, Barros JFC (2012) Long term effect of tillage system and crop residue management on soil carbon content of a Luvisol under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Agrociencia 16(3):183–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Christian DG (1994) Experience with direct drilling cereals and reduced cultivation in England. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop I. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 25–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Christian DG, Ball BC (1994) Reduced cultivations and direct drilling for cereals in Great Britain. In: Carter MR (ed) Conservation tillage in temperate agroecosystems. Lewis, Boca Raton, pp 117–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Corsi S, Friedrich T, Kassam A, Pisante M, Sá JCM (2012) Soil organic carbon accumulation and carbon budget in conservation agriculture: a review of evidence vol 16. FAO Integrated Crop Management, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox L, Calderon MJ, Hermosin MC, Cornejo J (1999) Leaching of clopyralid and metamitron under conventional and reduced tillage systems. J Environ Qual 28(2):605–610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cuevas MV, Calderón MJ, Fernández JE, Hermosín MC, Moreno F, Cornejo J (2001) Assessing herbicide leaching from field measurements and laboratory experiments. Acta Agrophys 57:15–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies DB, Finney JB (2002) Reduced cultivations for cereals: research, development and advisory needs under changing economic circumstances. Home Grown Cereals Authority Research Review 48, London, p 57

    Google Scholar 

  • Düring R-A, Basch G, Hummel HE (1998) Environmental aspects of no-tillage application-erosion and leaching of agrochemicals. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries, Final Report. Fachverlag Köhler, Giessen, pp 45–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers W, Claupein W (1994) Approaches toward conservation tillage in Germany. In: Carter MR (eds) Conservation tillage in temperate agroecosystems. Lewis, Boca Raton, pp 141–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekeberg E, Riley HCF (1997) Tillage intensity effects on soil properties and crop yields in a long-term trial on morainic loam soil in southeast Norway. Soil Tillage Res 42(4):277–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2013a) What is CA? Conservation Agriculture Website of FAO. www.fao.org/ag/ca/1a.html. Accessed Dec 2013

  • FAO (2013b) CA Adoption Worldwide, FAO AQUASTAT database. www.fao.org/ag/ca/6c.html. Accessed Dec 2013

  • Fellmann T, Dominguez IP, Witzke HP, Jansson T, Oudendag D, Gocht A, Verhoog D (2012) Agricultural GHG emissions in the EU: an exploratory economic assessment of mitigation policy options. Institute for prospective and technological studies, Joint Research Centre. JRC-IPTS Working Papers JRC69817

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Quintanilla C (1997) Historia y evolución de los sistemas de laboreo. El laboreo de conservación. In: García-Torres L, González Fernández P, (eds) Agricultura de Conservación. Fundamentos Agronómicos, Medioambientales y Económicos (Spanish). Asociación Española de Laboreo de Conservación, Córdoba, pp 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Ugalde O, Virto I, Imaz MJ, Enrique A, Bescansa P (2009) Soil water retention characteristics and the effect on barley production under no-tillage in semi-arid conditions of the Ebro Valley (Spain). Proceedings of the 18th ISTRO Conference; Paper T1-008. 2009, ISTRO, Izmir, Turkey, June 15–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Fortune T, Kennedy T, Mitchell B, Dunne B (2003, 29 Jan) Reduced cultivations-agronomic and environmental aspects. In: Teagasc (eds) Proceedings of the national tillage conference, Teagasc, Carlow, pp 70–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Freibauer A, Rounsevell MDA, Smith P, Verhagen J (2004) Carbon sequestration in the agricultural soils of Europe. Geoderma 122(1):1–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freixial R, Carvalho M (2010) Aspectos prácticos fundamentales en la implantación de la Agricultura de Conservacion/Siembra Directa en el sur de Portugal. In: ECAF (eds) Towards agro-environmental climate and energetic sustainability. Proceedings of the Eur. congress on conservation agriculture. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino, Madrid, pp 361-369 (Spanish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich T, Kassam A, Corsi S (2014) Conservation agriculture in Europe. In: Jat RA, Sahrawat KL, Kassam A (eds) Conservation agriculture: global prospects and challenges. CABI, Wallingford, pp 127–179

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • García-Ruiz JM (2010) The effects of land uses on soil erosion in Spain: a review. Catena 81(1):1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glen DM, Milsom NF, Wiltshire CW (1990) Effect of seed depth on slug damage to winter-wheat. Ann Appl Biol 117(3):693–701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez JA, Sobrinho TA, Giraldez JV, Fereres E (2009) Soil management effects on runoff, erosion and soil properties in an olive grove of Southern Spain. Soil Tillage Res 102(1):5–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González P, Giráldez JV, Ordóñez R, Laguna A, de Haro JM (1997) No tillage crop production in Spain. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop IV. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 155–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond RB, Beck T, Smith JA, Amos R, Barker J, Moore R et al (1999) Slugs in conservation tillage corn and soybeans in the eastern corn belt. J Entomol Sci 34(4):467–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen EM, Munkholm LJ, Melander B, Olesen JE (2010) Can non-inversion tillage and straw retainment reduce N leaching in cereal-based crop rotations? Soil Tillage Res 109(1):1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernánz JL, Sánchez-Girón V (1994) 13 años de ensayos en “El Encín”: Resultados a largo plazo. Conservar el Suelo. Monsanto España SA, Madrid, pp 16-17 (Spanish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland JM (2004) The environmental consequences of adopting conservation tillage in Europe: reviewing the evidence. Agric Ecosyst Environ 103(1):1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IAPAR (1981) Plantio direto no estado do Paraná. Fundação Instituto Agronómico do Paraná, Circular N° 23, Brasil, p 244

    Google Scholar 

  • Imaz MJ, Virto I, Bescansa P, Enrique A, Fernandez-Ugalde O, Karlen DL (2010) Soil quality indicator response to tillage and residue management on semi-arid Mediterranean cropland. Soil Tillage Res 107(1):17–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IRENA (2005) Indicator Fact Sheet. 14.2 Tillage systems. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/agri_environmental_indicators/documents/IRENA%20IFS%2014%20%20Farm%20management%20practices_FINAL.pdf. p. 14

  • Jones CA, Basch G, Baylis AD, Bazzoni D, Biggs J, Bradbury RB, Chaney K, Deeks LK, Field R, Gomez JA, Jones RJA, Jordan VWL, Lane MCG, Leake A, Livermore M, Owens PN, Ritz K, Sturny W, Thomas F (2006) Conservation agriculture in Europe: an approach to sustainable crop production by protecting soil and water? SOWAP, Bracknell, p 109

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan VWL, Hutcheon JA, Donaldson GV, Farmer DP (1997) Research into and development of integrated farming systems for less-intensive arable crop production: experimental progress (1989–1994) and commercial implementation. Agric Ecosyst Environ 64(2):141–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Känkänen H, Alakukku L, Salo Y, Pitkanen T (2011) Growth and yield of spring cereals during transition to zero tillage on clay soils. Eur J Agron 34(1):35–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kassam A, Basch G, Friedrich T, Shaxson F, Goddard T, Amado JCT, Crabtree B, Hongwen L, Mello I, Pisante M, Mkomwa S (2013) Sustainable soil management is more than what and how crops are grown. In: Lal R, Stewart BA (eds) Principles of sustainable soil management in agroecosystems, advances in soil science. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 337–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall DA, Chinn NE, Smith BD, Tidboald C, Winstone L, Western NM (1991) Effects of straw disposal and tillage on spread of barley yellow dwarf virus in winter barley. Ann Appl Biol 119(2):359–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kladivko EJ (2001) Tillage systems and soil ecology. Soil Tillage Res 61(1–2):61–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lacasta Dutoit C, Meco Murillo R, Maire N (2005, 9–11 Nov) Evolución de las producciones y de los parâmetros químicos y bioquímicos del suelo, en un agrosistema de cereales, sometidos a diferentes manejos de suelo durante 21 años. Proceedings Congreso Internacional sobre Agricultura de Conservación-El Reto de la Agricultura. el Medio Ambiente, la Energia y la Nueva Politica Agraria Común, Córdoba, pp 429–436 (Spanish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lampurlanes J, Cantero-Martinez C (2006) Hydraulic conductivity, residue cover and soil surface roughness under different tillage systems in semiarid conditions. Soil Tillage Res 85(1–2):13–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ledermann T, Schneider F (2008) Verbreitung der Direktsaat in der Schweiz. Agrarforschung 15(8):408–413 (German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin M, Huybers P (2012) Reckoning wheat yield trends. Environ Res Lett 7(2):024016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez MV, Arrue JL (2005) Soil tillage and wind erosion in fallow lands of Central Aragon, Spain: an overview. Sustain Use Manag Soils-Arid Semiarid Reg 36:93–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Marques F, Basch G (2002) Comparação da viabilidade económica de quatro sistemas de mobilização do solo. In: Basch G, Teixeira F (eds) Mobilização de conservação do solo. Proceedings 1º Congresso Nacional de Mobilização de Conservação do Solo. APOSOLO, Évora, pp 283-298 (Portuguese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Márquez F, Giráldez JV, Repullo M, Ordóñez R, Espejo AJ, Rodríguez A (2008) Eficiencia de las cubiertas vegetales como método de conservación de suelo y agua en olivar. In: Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (ed). Simposio del Agua en Andalucía. IGME, Madrid, pp 631-641 (Spanish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Matusinsky P, Mikolasova R, Klem K, Spitzer T (2009) Eyespot infection risks on wheat with respect to climatic conditions and soil management. J Plant Pathol 91(1):93–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzoncini M, Sapkota TB, Barberi P, Antichi D, Risaliti R (2011) Long-term effect of tillage, nitrogen fertilization and cover crops on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content. Soil Tillage Res 114(2):165–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConkey B, Chang Liang B, Padbury G, Lindwall W (2000) Carbon sequestration and direct seeding. In: Saskatchewan soil conservation association (ed) Proceedings of direct seeding “Sustainable Farming in the new Millennium” 12th annual meeting of the Saskatchewan soil conservation association, SSCA, Saskatoon, 9–10 Feb 2000

    Google Scholar 

  • Melander B (1998) A review of the major experiences with weeds in non-inversion tillage systems within the European Community (EEC). In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries, Final report. Fachverlag Köhler, Giessen, pp 63–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikkola HJ, Alakukku L, Känkänen H, Jalli H, Lindroos M, Huusela-Veistola E, Nuutinen V, Lätti M, Puustinen M, Turtola E, Myllys M, Regina K (2005) Direct drilling in Finland, a review. Proceedings of the 4th international scientific and practical conference, ecology and agricultural machinery, vol 2. St Petersburg, 25–26 May 2005, pp 141–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Montanarella L (2006) European soil protection strategies. Proceedings of the 17th ISTRO conference, ISTRO, Kiel, Aug 28–Sept 2 2006, pp 1586–1597

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris NL, Miller PCH, Orson JH, Froud-Williams RJ (2010) The adoption of non-inversion tillage systems in the United Kingdom and the agronomic impact on soil, crops and the environment: a review. Soil Tillage Res 108(1–2):1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mota MM, Carvalho M, Basch G, Mcgawley EC, Murcho DF (1997) Soil tillage and plant effects on nematode communities in Southern Portugal. J Nematol 29(4):595

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutegi JK, Munkholm LJ, Petersen BM, Hansen EM, Petersen SO (2010) Nitrous oxide emissions and controls as influenced by tillage and crop residue management strategy. Soil Biol Biochem 42(10):1701–1711

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muukkonen P, Hartikainen H, Alakukku L (2009) Effect of soil structure disturbance on erosion and phosphorus losses from Finnish clay soil. Soil Tillage Res 103(1):84–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oorts K, Bossuyt H, Labreuche J, Merckx R, Nicolardot B (2007a) Carbon and nitrogen stocks in relation to organic matter fractions, aggregation and pore size distribution in no-tillage and conventional tillage in northern France. Eur J Soil Sci 58(1):248–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Oorts K, Merckx R, Grehan E, Labreuche J, Nicolardot B (2007b) Determinants of annual fluxes of CO2 and N2O in long-term no-tillage and conventional tillage systems in northern France. Soil Tillage Res 95:133–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Oorts K, Laurent F, Mary B, Thiebeau P, Labreuche J, Nicolardot B (2007c) Experimental and simulated soil mineral N dynamics for long-term tillage systems in northern France. Soil Tillage Res 94(2):441–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Ordóñez R, González P, Perea F, Llanos I, Giráldez JV (2001) The protective role of stubble cover in dry-farming conservation-agriculture in Southwestern Spain. In: Garcia-Torres L, Benites J, Martinez-Vilela A (eds) Proceedings of the I World congress on conservation agriculture, vol II. Córdoba, 1–5 Oct 2001, pp 435–439

    Google Scholar 

  • Peigné J, Ball BC, Roger-Estrade J, David C (2007) Is conservation tillage suitable for organic farming? A review. Soil Use Manag 23(2):129–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peigné J, Cannavaciuolo M, Gautronneau Y, Aveline A, Giteau JL, Cluzeau D (2009) Earthworm populations under different tillage systems in organic farming. Soil Tillage Res 104(2):207–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pelosi C, Bertrand M, Roger-Estrade J (2009) Earthworm community in conventional, organic and direct seeding with living mulch cropping systems. Agron Sustain Dev 29(2):287–295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen J, Haastrup M, Knudsen L, Olesen JE (2010) Causes of yield stagnation in winter wheat in Denmark. DJF report plant science No. 147, Tjele, Nov 2010 (Dept. of Agroecology and Environment, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aarhus University

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips ER, Phillips SH (eds) (1984) No-tillage agriculture, principles and practices. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co, New York, p 306

    Google Scholar 

  • Piovanelli C, Gamba C, Brandi G, Simoncini S, Batistoni E (2006) Tillage choices affect biochemical properties in the soil profile. Soil Tillage Res 90(1–2):84–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ploey J, Imeson A, Oldeman LR (1991) Soil erosion, soil degradation and climatic change. Land use changes in Europe. The Geo Journal Library, vol 18. Springer, Netherlands, pp 275–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Puustinen M, Koskiaho J, Peltonen K (2005) Influence of cultivation methods on suspended solids and phosphorus concentrations in surface runoff on clayey sloped fields in boreal climate. Agric Ecosyst Environ 105(4):565–579

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen KJ (1994) Experiments with no-inversion tillage systems in Scandinavia-impacts on crop yields, soil structure and fertilization. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-workshop I. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 39–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Regina K, Alakukku L (2010) Greenhouse gas fluxes in varying soils types under conventional and no-tillage practices. Soil Tillage Res 109(2):144–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley H, Børrensen T, Ekeberg E, Rydberg T (1994) Trends in reduced tillage research and practice in Scandinavia. In: Carter MR (ed) Conservation tillage in temperate agroecosystems. Lewis, Boca Raton, pp 23–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Rochette P (2008) No-till only increases N2O emissions in poorly-aerated soils. Soil Tillage Res 101(1–2):97–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rochette P, Angers DA, Chantigny MH, MacDonald JD, Bissonnette N, Bertrand N (2009) Ammonia volatilization following surface application of urea to tilled and no-till soils: a laboratory comparison. Soil Tillage Res 103(2):310–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sartori L, Peruzzi P (1994) The evolution of no-tillage in Italy: a review of the scientific literature. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop I. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 119–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Schjønning P, Høy JJ, Munkholm LJ (2010) Soil tillage effects on the development of winter wheat yields in Denmark. In: Petersen J, Haarstrup M, Knudsen L, Olesen JE (eds) Causes of yield stagnation in winter wheat in Denmark. DJF Report Plant Science No. 147. Aarhus University, Denmark, pp 105–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Schutte BJ, Tomasek BJ, Davis AS, Andersson L, Benoit DL, Cirujeda A et al (2014) An investigation to enhance understanding of the stimulation of weed seedling emergence by soil disturbance. Weed Res 54(1):1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz R, Chervet A, Hofer P, Sturny WG, Zuber M (2007) Kanton Bern fördert Ressourcen schonenden Ackerbau. Agrarforschung 14(3):128–133 (German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Six J, Ogle SM, Breidt FJ, Conant RT, Mosier AR, Paustian K (2004) The potential to mitigate global warming with no-tillage management is only realized when practised in the long term. Glob Change Biol 10(2):155–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith P (2004) Carbon sequestration in croplands: the potential in Europe and the global context. Eur J Agron 20(3):229–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soane BD, Ball BC (1998) Review of management and conduct of long-term tillage studies with special reference to a 25-yr experiment on barley in Scotland. Soil Tillage Res 45(1–2):17–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soane BD, Ball BC, Arvidsson J, Basch G, Moreno F, Roger-Estrade J (2012) No-till in northern, western and south-western Europe: a review of problems and opportunities for crop production and the environment. Soil Tillage Res 118:66–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SoCo Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation. (2009) European commission directorate-general for agriculture and rural development. Final report. Luxemburg: EU23820EN

    Google Scholar 

  • Strudley MW, Green TR, Ascough JC (2008) Tillage effects on soil hydraulic properties in space and time: state of the science. Soil Tillage Res 99(1):4–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Symondson WOC, Glen DM, Wiltshire CW, Langdon CJ, Liddell JE (1996) Effects of cultivation techniques and methods of straw disposal on predation by Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) upon slugs (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in an arable field. J Appl Ecol 33(4):741–753

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tebrügge F (2002) Conservation tillage as a tool to improve soil-water and air quality In Proceeding 8th international congress mechanization and energy in agriculture, Kusadası, 15–17 Oct 2002, pp 83–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Tebrügge F (2003) No-tillage visions-protection of soil, water and climate and influence on management and farm income. In: Garcia-Torres L, Benites J, Martinez-Vilela A, Holgado-Cabrera A (eds) Conservation agriculture: environment, farmers experiences, innovations, socio-economy, policy. Springer, Netherlands, pp 327–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (1997a) Crop yields and economic aspects of no-tillage compared to plough tillage: results of long-term soil tillage field experiments in Germany. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds). Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-workshop IV. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 25–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (1997b) Results and conclusions on the surveys on No-Tillage. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-workshop IV. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 54–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Troeh FR, Thompson LM (1993) Soils and soil fertility, 5th edn. Oxford University, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulen B, Aronsson H, Bechmann M, Krogstad T, Oygarden L, Stenberg M (2010) Soil tillage methods to control phosphorus loss and potential side-effects: a Scandinavian review. Soil Use Manag 26(2):94–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Ouwerkerk C, Perdok UD (1994) Experiences with minimum and no-tillage practices in the Netherlands. I: 1962–1971. In: Tebrügge F, Böhrnsen A (eds) Experience with the applicability of no-tillage crop production in the West-European countries. Proceedings EC-Workshop I. Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag, Giessen, pp 93–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Van-Camp L, Bujarrabal B, Gentile A-R, Jones RJA, Montanarella L, Olazabal C, Selvaradjou S-K (2004) Reports of the technical working groups established under the thematic strategy for soil protection. Office for official publications of the European communities; 2004 EUR 21319 EN/1, Luxembourg, p 872

    Google Scholar 

  • VandenBygaart AJ, Yang XM, Kay BD, Aspinall JD (2002) Variability in carbon sequestration potential in no-till soil landscapes of southern Ontario. Soil Tillage Res 65(2):231–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veroz-González O, Sánchez CS, Sánchez Ruíz F (2008) Estudio estadístico de encuestas dirigidas a agricultores que aplican técnicas de Agricultura de Conservación. In: Gil Ribes J, Ordóñez Fernández R, Ayuso González J, Veroz-González O, González Sánchez EJ (eds) Métodos de Producción Agraria compatibles con el Medio Ambiente: Lucha contra la Erosión y Agricultura de Conservación. Informe Final, p 113–202 (Spanish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinten AJA, Ball BC, O’Sullivan MF, Henshall JK (2002) The effects of cultivation method, fertilizer input and previous sward-type on organic C and N storage and gaseous losses under spring and-winter barley following long-term leys. J Agr Sci 139:231–243

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vogeler I, Rogasik J, Funder U, Panten K, Schnug E (2009) Effect of tillage systems and P-fertilization on soil physical and chemical properties, crop yield and nutrient uptake. Soil Tillage Res 103(1):137–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogelgsang S, Hecker A, Forrer HR (2005) Fusarium head blight and mycotoxins in cereals: potential control strategies under conservation tillage. Poster at the 4th Canadian workshop on Fusarium Head Blight, Ottawa, Canada, 1–3 Nov 2005

    Google Scholar 

  • Xavier MA, Nogueira A, Brás A, Basch G (2005) Estudo das pragas da cultura do milho forrageiro em função do sistema de mobilização do solo. In: Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra (eds) A Produção Integrada e a Qualidade e Segurança Alimentar vol. I. Proceedings “VII Encontro Nacional de Protecção Integrada”. Edições IPC, Coimbra, pp 327–334 (Portuguese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Évora, P-7002-554, ÉVORA, Portugal

    G. Basch

  2. Plant Production and Protection Division, Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy

    T. Friedrich

  3. School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AR, UK

    A. Kassam

  4. Rural Engineering Department, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain

    E. Gonzalez-Sanchez

Authors
  1. G. Basch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Friedrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Kassam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Gonzalez-Sanchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Basch .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Farooq

  2. Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia

    Kadambot H. M. Siddique

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Basch, G., Friedrich, T., Kassam, A., Gonzalez-Sanchez, E. (2015). Conservation Agriculture in Europe. In: Farooq, M., Siddique, K. (eds) Conservation Agriculture. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11620-4_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation