The no-till farming system developed aimed to increase the sustainability of horticultural cropping systems through the long-term maintenance of soil health and stability, and eliminate reliance on plastic mulch which is difficult to dispose of correctly.

Why study this?

The project was initiated in response to increasing concerns over the use and disposal of agricultural plastic, and declining soil structure in vegetable production systems through cultivation and loss of soil organic matter in the Bowen district of Queensland.A healthy well-structured soil is vital to the continued productivity of horticultural systems.

What was done

Trial sites were located throughout the NT, Qld, NSW and Vic. Conclusions can be extrapolated to a range of locations and crop types. The system was developed for horticultural production, using permanent beds that are not cultivated after initial land preparation.Cover crops are established on beds, grown to maturity, killed and then flattened to form an organic mulch. Commercial vegetable crops can then be sown or transplanted into this cover crop residue.Trials examined: bed formation, irrigation systems, soil testing and base fertiliser application, crop covers choice and management, transplanting and growing the main crop.

What we found

Savings could be made and soil improved and maintained by using the no-till system.

Where to next?

Growers wanting to use the system should conduct a small trial first to fine-tune practices, and choose appropriate cover crops to suit the local soil type, climate and farming practices

Resources

These free, practical guidelines can help growers implement a permanent bed system for vegetable production.

Best Practice No-till vegetable production

Sustainable integrated permanent bed system for vegetable crop production

Implementation of a permanent bed system for vegetable production

For more information contact

Dr Gordon Rogers, Applied Horticultural Research Pty Ltd

gordon@ahr.com.au