How Do No-till Farming Practices Influence Soil Biological Processes?.

This presentation will address the impact of no-till practices on components of soil biological fertility. The magnitude of these effects vary with soil type, climatic conditions and other farming practices. We will discuss the potential for maximising microbial benefits in soils managed using no-till practices with south-western Australia as a case study. Widespread adoption of reduced tillage practices has occurred in this region. It is a productive wheat-growing area of Australia that is experiencing reduced rainfall and higher temperatures. The challenge of benchmarking and managing soil biological processes in no-till farming systems will be a focus of the presentation.