1. residue cover of soil surface (%)45 20 35 30 25 15 10 5 40 FP FC
soil loss (tons/acre) FP NT FC NT
residue cover of soil surface (%)
This figure shows that:
• surface residue reduces erosion,
• reduced tillage (chisel and no-till) leaves more
residue and results in less erosion than plowing, and
• corn (circled) returns more residue than soybeans.
Figure Soil erosion dramatically decreases with increasing surface cover.
Note: FP = fall plow, FC = fall chisel, NT = no-till; circles = corn, no circles = soybeans. Modified from Manuring (1979).

2. Figure Roller-crimper creates a weed-suppressing cover-crop mat through which it is possible to plant seeds or transplants. Here cotton is being planted behind rye that has been traveled over by the roller-crimper. Photo by Jeff Mitchell.