LONG-TERM POTENTIAL OF CONSERVATION TILLAGE ON THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES

The adoption of conservation tillage can ensure a soil resource base f or future generations. The objectives of this review are to examine pr inciples of conservation tillage, to point out potential problems and to propose solutions. Emphasis will be placed on zero-tillage and its impact on soil temperature, soil water, crop residue decomposition, an d weed communities. It is proposed that the future direction of sustai nable agriculture is toward low soil disturbance, low input, and energ y efficient production systems. Zero-tillage represents a starting poi nt in the evolution of sustainability, and the role of disciplines rel ated to crop protection to achieve this goal is discussed.