A Review of Challenge and Prospect of No-Tillage Practice to Sustain Spices Cropping Systems in North Maluku

摘要

No-tillage or zero-tillage has been adopted for years by local farmers to sustain islands-based tropical spices cropping systems across the North Maluku region. Various studies in other parts of the world have proven a remarkable effect of this practice on soil health indicated by the enhancement of soil aggregate stability and increased water infiltration. No-tillage practice, however, with the removal of plant residue might cause an increase in soil compaction. In addition, the status of soil health is not only determined by soil management factors but is also influenced by climatic factors. In tropical region, high rainfall and season fluctuation in climate may deteriorate soil health as a result of the formation of soil compaction in no-tillage soils. Soil compaction occurs due to the rapid decomposition rate of soil organic matter triggered by wetting and drying oscillation process. It is hypothesized that an increase in the level of soil compaction may potentially disturb soil health indicated by the decline in natural capacity of a soil to suppress soil-borne disease. This paper, therefore, explores how a no-tillage practice can induce soil compaction. It will also describe the mechanism of the effects of soil compaction on the reduction in soil capacity to naturally suppress soil-borne disease, which might be able to influence the sustainability of small islands-based tropical agricultural systems in North Maluku.