Conservation tillage on forage crops: an opportunity to mitigate climate change

摘要

Agriculture is affected by climate change but it also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Forage crops represent an important and strategic sector for the European Union. Forage systems are capable of providing satisfactory production while alsoreducing the amount of total input (i.e. fuels, pesticides, chemical nutrients) as are other agricultural system. Forage systems are also recognised as having potential to help counteract the causes and impacts of climate change. Since 2010 a long-term field experiment which deals with reduced and no tillage techniques has been carried out in Sardinia (Italy) with legumes and cereals. Forage quality and quantity stages (pasture, hay and grain) were measured as well as chemical and physical soil properties. This study is representative of larger areas of the Mediterranean Basin with similar environment. The results determine the feasibility for extending this approach in several agricultural areas characterized by a Mediterranean climate and similar pedological features. This paper focusses on the main changes in soil characteristics obtained so far.