Tecnologie meccaniche adoperate in agricoltura conservativa per la protezione del suolo agrario dai fenomeni erosivi e dalla compattazione. Valutazione in campo e sviluppo di un protocollo di prova europeo per le macchine della lavorazione del terreno
Author(s)
Talarico, Raffaele
Date Issued
February 23, 2009
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
Conservation tillage (CT) is practised on 95 million ha world-wide, predominantly in North and South
America but its uptake is also increasing in South Africa, Australia and other semi-arid areas of the world.
It is primarily used as a means to protect soils from erosion and compaction, to conserve moisture and
reduce production costs. In Europe, the area cultivated using minimum tillage is increasing primarily in an
effort to reduce production costs, but also as a way of preventing soil erosion and retain soil moisture. A
large proportion of Europe’s cultivated land is also prone to soil degradation but farmers and governments
are being slow to recognise and address the problem, despite the widespread environmental problems
that can occur when soils become degraded. Conservation tillage can improve soil structure and stability
thereby facilitating better drainage and water holding capacity that reduces the extremes of water logging
and drought. These improvements to soil structure also reduce the risk of runoff and pollution of surface
waters with sediment, pesticides and nutrients. Reducing the intensity of soil cultivation lowers energy
consumption and the emission of carbon dioxide, while carbon sequestration is raised though the increase
in soil organic matter. Under conservation tillage, a richer soil biota develops that can improve nutrient
recycling and this may also help combat crop pests and diseases.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Meccanica agraria
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