Agronomy Library > Annual Weeds

Managing Insects Pests in a Reduced Tillage System - Direct Seeding Advantage 2003
Author: Lloyd Dosdall - University of Alberta
Date Created: November 18, 2003
Last Reviewed: January 12, 2009
INTRODUCTION In recent years, producers have been encouraged to adopt minimum or zero tillage systems because they offer considerable potential for maintaining or improving soil productivity, particularly in regions where moisture is limiting. The benefits of reduced tillage include less soil erosion, improved moisture conservation, increased soil organic matter, decreased human labor requirements, and improved crop yields. The implementation of reduced tillage systems can also offer important benefits to producers in terms of managing economically important insect pest species. For example, cutworm and flea beetle infestations are more damaging in conventional tillage systems than with reduced tillage. However, reduced tillage also presents new challenges for growers because some species, like root maggots and wheat stem sawfly, thrive under these conditions and can cause greater yield losses to growers.  The objective of this presentation is to provide growers with updated research information on how different insect pest species respond to reduced versus conventional tillage systems. In addition, strategies for reducing crop damage from different insect pest species will be discussed. Open the PDF for the complete paper