Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Reduced tillage in organic farming affects soil organic carbon stocks in temperate Europe

Maike Krauss, Martin Wiesmeier, Axel Don, Fogelina Cuperus, Andreas Gattinger, Sabine Gruber, Wiepie Haagsma, Josephine Peigné, Marco Chiodelli Palazzoli, Franz Schulz, Marcel G. A. van der Heijden, Laura Vincent-Caboud, Raphaël Wittwer, Sabine Zikeli, Markus Steffens

Soil and Tillage Research · 2021

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This multi-country field study investigates the relationship between reduced tillage adoption and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in certified organic farming systems across temperate Europe. The research, involving numerous European research institutions, appears to assess whether conservation tillage practices—increasingly promoted for carbon sequestration—deliver expected SOC benefits within organic farming contexts, where tillage management presents distinct agronomic and regulatory considerations. The findings contribute to understanding trade-offs between soil disturbance reduction and organic production objectives.

UK applicability

Findings are directly applicable to UK organic and low-input arable farming, where soil carbon retention and reduced tillage adoption are policy priorities under environmental stewardship and net-zero frameworks. Results may inform guidance on compatible management practices within UK organic certification standards.

Key measures

Soil organic carbon stocks (likely in tonnes per hectare or similar standardised units); tillage intensity classification; soil depth profiles

Outcomes reported

The study examined how reduced tillage practices affect soil organic carbon stocks across organic farming systems in temperate European regions. The research measured changes in soil carbon storage under different tillage intensities.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil carbon & organic matter
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Europe
System type
Organic systems
DOI
10.1016/j.still.2021.105262
Catalogue ID
BFmommpigd-xtk5qq

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.