2. Reduce Soil Erosion Soil conservation, some methods
Terracing
Contour planting
Strip cropping with cover crop
Alley cropping, agroforestry
Windbreaks or shelterbeds
Conservation-tillage farming
No-till
Minimum tillage
Identify erosion hotspots 2

3. Figure 12.24
Soil conservation methods include (a) terracing, (b) contour planting and strip cropping, (c) alley cropping, and (d) windbreaks (Concept 12-6A).
Fig a, p. 302

4. Figure 12.24
Soil conservation methods include (a) terracing, (b) contour planting and strip cropping, (c) alley cropping, and (d) windbreaks (Concept 12-6A).
Fig b, p. 302

5. Figure 12.24
Soil conservation methods include (a) terracing, (b) contour planting and strip cropping, (c) alley cropping, and (d) windbreaks (Concept 12-6A).
Fig c, p. 302

6. Figure 12.24
Soil conservation methods include (a) terracing, (b) contour planting and strip cropping, (c) alley cropping, and (d) windbreaks (Concept 12-6A).
Fig d, p. 302

7. Solutions: Mixture of Monoculture Crops Planted in Strips on a Farm7

8. Conservation Tillage
Conservation-tillage farming: method of soil cultivation that leaves the previous year's crop residue on fields before & after planting the next crop
No-till: involve planting crops directly into residue that either hasn't been tilled at all
Minimum tillage: some residue has been removed, but at least 30 to 70% remains

9. No Till & Minimum Tillage
Planting into corn residue (no till)
Soybeans grown in striped rows between corn residue (minimum tillage)

10. Benefits of Conservation Tillage
Environmental benefits
Reduces soil erosion by 60%-90% from rain & wind
Improves soil and water quality by adding organic matter as crop residue decomposes
Conserves water by reducing evaporation
Conserves energy due to fewer tractor trips
Reduces air pollution from dust and diesel
Crop residue provides food and cover for wildlife

11. Benefits of Conservation Tillage
Practical benefits
Fewer trips across the fields saves time and money (lowers fuel, labor and machinery maintenance costs) and reduces soil compaction that can reduce yields
Optimizes soil moisture, enhancing crop growth in dry periods or on droughty soils