Edward H. Faulkner, author of the 1943 agricultural book "Plowman's Folly," is credited with the creation of no-till farming.

The definition of “properly managed” no-till has evolved and is a source of modern debate, as organic growers and herbicide-using operations are often opposed to its philosophy and tactics.  However, the core idea of leaving soil as intact as possible, employing cover crops and rotation strategies while allowing residual matter to remain near the soil surface unquestioningly benefits the physical, chemical, and biological structure of the soil, and improves yields while also greatly reducing erosion and chemical runoff.

This farming theory grew steadily after World War II and is widespread today. Research studies have now proven that plowing a field is more costly in labor, resources and environmental impact, and it also produces unfavorable yields when compared with properly managed no-till operations.

In this two-part article, I will initially explore the benefits of no-till for home and commercial farming, and then, in part two, outline the differences between organic approaches and practices that use herbicides as part of a no-till plan.

Plowing came about as a way to clear land of weeds and obstructions so crops could thrive. While it does serve the purpose of providing a blank canvas for seedlings, modern understanding of soil structure tells us there is a greater benefit realized by leaving soil undisturbed.

Some favorable qualities of no-till are easily observed.  A freshly plowed field can turn to dust in dry conditions, and precious topsoil and nutrients can wash away in heavy rains.  If soil is left untilled, this condition of loose barren soil never occurs.  The excessive equipment traffic required for plowing creates compaction and the development of a hardpan underground at the level just below where the plow reaches.  This strain is also alleviated in a no-till practice.

What we can’t easily see is how untilled soil then fills interconnected aeration and hydration channels created by worms and physical factors, as well as extensive networks of fungi and microorganisms that develop symbiotic nutrient processing and disease resistance relationships with plants.  Overall levels of organic matter in the soil increase, as does the ability to retain and drain moisture deeper into the soil.

This additional biomass sequesters carbon and also decays and releases nutrients at a steady rate that is beneficial to plants and microorganisms, generally resulting in a reduced requirement for fertilizer.  We are still researching and extending our understanding of the complexities of soil structure, but it is clear that when left undisturbed, soil becomes a more stable and accommodating environment for crops, which directly translates into higher yields and healthier plants.

Facts contained in this article, and additional resources for implementing a no-till solution at your home or commercial farm, including research based recommendations for crop rotation, weed suppression, timing of planting and how to transition to no-till can be found on the Penn State Cooperative Extension website.

Mark Wojciechowski is a York County Master Gardener.  Penn State Master Gardeners are volunteers for Penn State Cooperative Extension.  For more information, contact the Master Gardener office at 717-840-7408.

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