Controlled traffic farming—From research to adoption in Australia

Efficient mechanisation is a major factor underlying the high productivity and low cost of most Australian crop production systems. Efficiency has generally been associated with greater work rates, achieved by using equipment of greater power and weight. This trend has continued until very recently, despite a reduction in tillage for weed control.

Scientists have warned of erosion and soil structural degradation caused by tillage and traffic, but tillage, rather than field traffic was seen as the major problem, and reduction of tillage as the solution. Reduced tillage has provided major benefits, but adoption has occurred slowly and sustained zero tillage is still rare, except in controlled traffic farming systems.

The first part of this paper presents research evidence of the direct cost, practical impact and long-term effects of wheel traffic on cropped soil. Direct cost is associated with the energy requirements of disturbing wheeled soil. Practical impact occurs as a result of the lost opportunities and additional operations associated with wheel ruts. Long-term productivity and environmental impact occur because wheel traffic reduces plant available water and increases runoff and erosion.

In controlled traffic all equipment wheels are restricted to compacted permanent traffic lanes, so that soil in the crop beds and traffic lanes can be managed respectively for optimum cropping and optimum trafficability. Controlled traffic farming recognizes the symbiosis between controlled traffic and zero tillage in providing opportunities for more productive and sustainable farming of soil uncompromised by wheel effects.

The beneficial effects of controlled traffic have been demonstrated in widely different soils and mechanisation systems (e.g. Australia and China), and it has been vigorously advocated in both the USA and Europe, but large-scale adoption has been rare. The second part of this paper discusses cropping system response to controlled traffic farming, and the program which led to large-scale adoption in Australia. This happened first in extensive grain production, but adoption has since occurred in many Australian farming systems, supported by the availability of high-precision field guidance systems and a greater range of compatible equipment.

Controlled traffic farming reduces soil degradation and the energy requirements of cropping. It is also more productive, and its practicality and economic viability have been clearly demonstrated in enthusiastic farmer adoption, and the formation of an Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association.     

Wheel traffic and tillage effects on runoff and crop yield

Traffic and tillage effects on runoff, soil water and crop production under rainfall were investigated over a period of 6 years on a heavy clay vertosols (vertisols) in Queensland, Australia. A split plot design was used to isolate traffic effects, while the cropping program and treatments were broadly representative of extensive grain production practice in the northern grain region of Australia. Treatments subject to zero tillage and stubble mulch tillage each comprised pairs of 90 m² plots, from which runoff was recorded. A 3 m wide controlled traffic system allowed one of each pair to be maintained as a non-wheeled plot, while the complete surface area of the other received a single annual wheeling treatment from a working 100 kW tractor.

Mean annual runoff from controlled traffic plots was 81 mm (36.3%) smaller than that from wheeled plots, while runoff from zero tillage was reduced by 31 mm (15.7%). Traffic and tillage effects appeared to be cumulative, so the mean annual runoff from controlled traffic and zero tillage plots, representing best practice, was 112 mm (47.2%) less than that from wheeled stubble mulch plots, representing conventional cropping practice. Rainfall infiltration into controlled traffic zero tillage soil was thus 12.0% greater than into wheeled stubble mulched soil. Rainfall/runoff hydrographs show that wheeling produced a large and consistent increase in runoff, whereas tillage produced a smaller increase. Treatment effects were greater on dry soil, but were still present in large and intense rainfall events on wet soil.

Plant available water capacity (PAWC) in the 0–500 mm zone increased by 10 mm (11.5%) and mean grain yields increased by 337 kg/ha (9.4%) in controlled traffic plots, compared with wheeled plots. Mean grain yield of zero tillage was 2–8% greater than that of stubble mulch plots for all crops except for winter wheat in 1994 and 1998. Increased infiltration and plant available water were probably responsible for increased mean grain yields of 497 kg/ha (14.5%) in controlled traffic zero tillage, compared with wheeled stubble mulch treatments. Dissipation of tractive and tillage energy in the soil is the apparent mechanism of deleterious effects on the soils ability to support productive cropping in this environment. Controlled traffic and conservation tillage farming systems appear to be a practicable solution.     

Soil,crop and emission responses to seasonal-controlled traffic in organic vegetable farming on loam soil

Some organic arable and vegetable farms in the Netherlands use cm-precise guidance of machinery to restrict wheel traffic to fixed traffic lanes and to achieve non-trafficked cropping zones with optimized soil structure in between the lanes. Contrary to controlled traffic farming (CTF) the traffic lanes are not yet used for harvesting and primary tillage. Therefore, the system is called a seasonal-controlled traffic farming (SCTF) system. A field experiment was conducted on an organic vegetable farm to reveal soil, crop and emission responses of SCTF with traffic lanes at 3.15-m centres compared with conventional random traffic farming (RTF) using low ground pressures in spring from 2002 till 2005. The traffic systems were investigated in the crops green pea (Pisum sativum L.), spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.), onions (Allium cepa L.) and carrots (Daucus carota L.). Compared with RTF, the topsoil structure in the SCTF system improved for the crops sown on the flat but not for carrot grown on ridges. Crop yields increased significantly in green pea, spinach and planted onion sets but not in carrot and direct-sown onion. The available N-min at the end of the cropping period was not different between systems and, therefore, leaching losses in winter are expected to be the same. SCTF resulted in a significant reduction of N₂O emissions (by 20–50% compared to RTF). For CH₄, application of the SCTF system resulted in increased CH₄ uptake (by a factor 5–20) compared to the RTF system in three of the four measured fields. At the fourth field, lower (but not significant) CH₄ emissions (by a factor 4) were measured in the SCTF system compared to RTF. Effects of SCTF on timeliness and on the economic feasibility are discussed.     

Deep tillage and traffic effects on subsoil compaction and sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) yields

The main function of deep tillage is to alleviate subsoil compaction, but how long do the benefits of this technique remain? Traffic on loose soil causes a significant increase in soil compaction. Subsoiling and chisel plowing were carried out at 450 and 280 mm depth, respectively on a compacted soil in the west Rolling Pampas region of Argentina. The draft required, physical soil properties, root growth, sunflower (Helianthus annus L. Merr.) yield and traffic compaction over the subsequent two growing seasons were measured. Cone penetrometer resistance was reduced and sunflower yields increased following deep tillage operations. Subsoil compaction caused changes to the root system of sunflower that affected shoot growth and crop yields. Although subsoiling and chiseling had an immediate loosening effect, it was evident that after just 2 years, when traffic intensity was >95 mg km ha⁻¹, re-compaction and settling had occurred in the 300–600 mm depth range.     

Effects of wheel traffic along one side of corn and soybean rows

There is a continuing need for information illustrating the seriousness of the soil compaction problem over a range of soils, climatic, and agronomic conditions and encouraging the adoption of controlled traffic. Compaction from wheel traffic adjacent to crop rows had significant effects on the soil physical conditions in Kokomo silty clay loam (Typic Argiaquoll) and on the corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) yields. Traffic patterns were established to compare rows that had traffic on one side of the row with those that had traffic on neither side. These traffic patterns were followed for planting and spraying operations for a total of five passes. Corn had either no nitrogen fertilizer or adequate fertilizer and soybeans had no fertility variable. Bulk density and cone penetration resistance were significantly higher in the wheel tracks than in the untracked areas at the 0–15- and 15–30-cm depths. With adequate fertilizer, yields of corn and soybeans from rows along wheel tracks were equal to those from untracked areas. With no nitrogen fertilizer, corn yields were significantly lower from rows along wheel tracks.     

Weather and other environmental factors influencing crop responses to tillage and traffic

Historical research approaches to crop responses to tillage and traffic are discussed and the causes and nature of these responses are analyzed and schematized. The complex of interrelations is then reduced to the changes in soil structure which affect root growth. More attention should be given to modifications in pore geometry caused by compaction, deformation and natural regeneration, both on a macro- and a micro-scale. The possible effects of modifications in pore geometry on soil physical, chemical and biological properties are analyzed in detail, in relation to weather and other environmental factors.In quantifying the interrelationships, good progress has been made, but the integration of separate effects under specific field conditions has not been developed sufficiently. More attention is needed for evaluation of potential growth-limiting factors which can be modified by tillage and traffic.It is proposed to consider the water status of the soil as the central link in the interaction between relevant environmental factors and crop responses to tillage and field traffic.     

Soil and crop responses to controlled traffic farming in reduced tillage and no-till: some experiences from field experiments and on-farm studies in Sweden

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of controlled traffic farming (CTF) with respect to soil physical properties and crop yield for Swedish conditions. Three field trials were conducted for six growing seasons in central and southern Sweden. In two of the trials, we compared CTF with random traffic farming (RTF) in deep chiseling (DC, 15–20?cm), shallow cultivation (SC, 5–10?cm) and no-till. The third trial was on farm study by using the existing CTF module at the farm. In the tracks of CTF (traffic zone) dry bulk density was increased and water movement was decreased. Soil penetration resistance was greater in the traffic zone than in the crop zone in some of the trials but the difference was not statistically significant. On average, crop yield was similar between CTF and RTF for all trials. Yield in the traffic zone was significantly less than that in the crop zone in the on-farm trial, but the yield in both zones were similar in the field trial at Lönnstorp, south Sweden. On the contrary, in the field trial at Säby 1 in Uppsala, central Sweden, crop zone produced less yield than traffic zone probably because of too loose soil, which impaired the uptake of nutrients and water. We conclude that if vehicle weight is not very high and the soil is not vulnerable to compaction, dual wheels and CTF are equal options.     

Effects of tillage and traffic on crop production in dryland farming systems: II. Long-term simulation of crop production using the PERFECT model

Soil water conservation is critical to long-term crop production in dryland cropping areas in Northeast Australia. Many field studies have shown the benefits of controlled traffic and zero tillage in terms of runoff and soil erosion reduction, soil moisture retention and crop yield improvement. However, there is lack of understanding of the long-term effect of the combination of controlled traffic and zero tillage practices, as compared with other tillage and traffic management practices.In this study, a modeling approach was used to estimate the long-term effect of tillage, traffic, crop rotation and type, and soil management practices in a heavy clay soil. The PERFECT soil–crop simulation model was calibrated with data from a 5-year field experiment in Northeast Australia in terms of runoff, available soil water and crop yield; the procedure and outcomes of this calibration were given in a previous contribution. Three cropping systems with different tillage and traffic treatments were simulated with the model over a 44-year-period using archived weather data.Results showed higher runoff, and lower soil moisture and crop production with conventional tillage and accompanying field traffic than with controlled traffic and zero tillage. The effect of traffic is greater than the effect of tillage over the long-term. The best traffic, tillage and crop management system was controlled traffic zero tillage in a high crop intensity rotation, and the worst was conventional traffic and stubble mulch with continuous wheat. Increased water infiltration and reduced runoff under controlled traffic resulted in more available soil water and higher crop yield under opportunity cropping systems.     

The effect of various residue mulch-tillage combinations on soil physical conditions and performance of irrigated cotton

Cotton is a major irrigated summer field crop in Israel, and is commonly grown in the same field for 3–5 years in succession. There is only a narrow time window between harvest and early rains for pest control by means of clearing the land surface of residues, and to perform preparatory tillage. The time available may be insufficient to achieve this with the conventional deep plowing tillage system, and some operations may have to be carried out on moist soil between rainfall events. In response to indications of decreasing yield due to compaction, various limited-tillage systems in permanent traffic lanes have been developed, culminating in a machine that performs all residue-disposal and tillage operations in a single pass through the field. A comparison of several limited-traffic and conventional practices was carried out for 2 years on a loessial silt loam (Calcic Haploxeralf). It was found that both soil condition and yield were worst in the two treatments commonly used by farmers: deep plowing and deep incorporation of residues with the combination machine. Tillage effects were dominant, masking any effect of residue amount and disposal method. Large differences were found between the zones of the permanent wheel track treatments, as were cyclic changes in soil condition reflecting the seasonal sequence of tillage operations. Some cumulative compaction occurred, due mainly to a gradual widening of the wheel tracks rather than to repeated passes in the original rut. The findings of this work show that the optimal choice is to replace the previously preferred field practices by shallow slot-mulching with simultaneous subsoiling by the combination machine, which meets the sanitation requirements, maintains satisfactory yields and saves energy and labor.     

Zero and conventional traffic systems for potatoes in Scotland, 1987–1989

Commercial potato production in the UK requires considerable traffic associated with primary and secondary cultivations and harvesting with consequent problems of topsoil compaction. The extent of these soil and crop effects were examined for a conventional traffic system and for an experimental zero traffic system which was developed from standard machines modified to have all wheels running on permanent wheeltracks at 2.8 m centres. Three rows of potatoes were grown between the wheeltracks, the central row only being traffic-free, as the edge effects of the wheeltracks influenced the outer rows. Results for three seasons showed that the zero system gave mean increases of 14% and 18% in total and marketable potato yields, respectively, as a result of greater soil air-filled porosity in wet seasons and lower soil strength in dry seasons. During harvest, the conventional system produced 30% more soil clods and, after harvest, required a 70% greater draught force for cultivation. Commercial exploitation of the zero system will depend on the development of an economically viable, wide-track machine.     

固定道小麦免少耕播种机设计与试验

为了减少农机作业对农田土壤的压实,改善作物生长环境,加强农机与农艺融合,该文结合固定道和保护性耕作技术要求,开发了固定道小麦免少耕播种机,设计了一种楔刀型开沟器与“Y”型、“L”型刀具相结合的防堵开沟装置,并确定了“Y”型、“L”型刀具等关键部件的参数,田间对比试验表明,所设计的固定道小麦免少耕播种机通过性能良好,各项指标满足免耕播种机设计要求。固定道模式下机具各项性能指标均略优于非固定道,种、肥深度合格率均达到84%以上,且一致性好,种肥间距加大5 mm,合格率达到85.2%,有效减少了烧种现象。固定道免少耕作业实施2年后,与非固定道作业模式相比,作业油耗降低22.01%,节油效果显著。因此,固定道免少耕播种技术能够提高播种质量,降低作业功耗。另外,随着中国土地流转政策地推进,研究成果将对土地规模化种植、高效化管理具有一定指导意义。     

Characterizing compaction effects on soil properties and crop growth in southern Nigeria

A field experiment based on controlled traffic concept was conducted over three rainy seasons in a bimodal rainfall area during 1982–1983 with the objective of, firstly, determining the effects of traffic-induced compaction on soil physical properties, root growth and leaf nutrient concentration in maize (Zea mays L.) cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) and soya bean (Glycine max Merr.) and secondly, characterizing soil compaction by evaluating soil physical properties which closely correlated with crop yields. Main treatments of tillage methods compared discing (to 20 cm depth followed by harrowing) to a no-tillage system. Traffic treatments of 0, 2 and 4 passes of a 2-Mg roller were subplots in a split-plot design experiment. The roller simulated field traffic in the 1.5–2.5 Mg weight range and exerted an average contact pressure of 113 kPa per pass on soil. Traffic-induced compaction decreased water infiltration rate and increased soil dry density and penetrometer resistance. Vertical root growth of maize and cowpea was consequently reduced down to 21 cm depth and that of soya bean down to 14 cm depth. Lateral root distribution was also markedly reduced. In the third consecutive growing season, traffic-induced soil compaction reduced the leaf nutrient concentration of Mg in no-tillage and P, Ca, K and Mn in discing for maize; Mg in discing for cowpea; and Ca in discing for soya bean. Traffic-induced soil compaction reduced grain yields of maize, cowpea and soya bean in all three seasons under both no-till and disced treatments, but the severity of this compaction increased considerably in the third consecutive season and was particularly more marked on the disced plots than on the no-till plots. The water infiltration rate was found to be the most sensitive soil property in characterizing soil compaction on this Alfisol in relation to crop yield.     

Effects of tillage and traffic on crop production in dryland farming systems: I. Evaluation of PERFECT soil-crop simulation model

Agricultural production systems are complex involving variability in climate, soil, crop, tillage management and interactions between these components. The traditional experimental approach has played an important role in studying crop production systems, but isolation of these factors in experimental studies is difficult and time consuming. Computer simulation models are useful in exploring these interactions and provide a valuable tool to test and further our understanding of the behavior of soil–crop systems without repeating experimentation.Productivity erosion and runoff functions to evaluate conservation techniques (PERFECT) is one of the soil–crop models that integrate the dynamics of soil, tillage and crop processes at a daily resolution. This study had two major objectives. The first was to calibrate the use of the PERFECT soil–crop simulation model to simulate soil and crop responses to changes of traffic and tillage management. The second was to explore the interactions between traffic, tillage, soil and crop, and provide insight to the long-term effects of improved soil management and crop rotation options. This contribution covers only the first objective, and the second will be covered in a subsequent contribution.Data were obtained from field experiments on a vertisol in Southeast Queensland, Australia which had controlled traffic and tillage treatments for the previous 5 years. Input data for the simulation model included daily weather, runoff, plant available water capacity, and soil hydraulic properties, cropping systems, and traffic and tillage management. After model calibration, predicted and measured total runoffs for the 5-year period were similar. Values of root mean square error (RMSE) for daily runoff ranged from 5.7 to 9.2 mm, which were similar to those reported in literature. The model explained 75–95% of variations of daily, monthly and annual runoff, 70–84% of the variation in total available soil water, and 85% of the variation in yield. The results showed that the PERFECT daily soil–crop simulation model could be used to generate meaningful predictions of the interactions between crop, soil and water under different tillage and traffic systems.Ranking of management systems in order of decreasing merit for runoff, available soil water and crop yield was (1) controlled traffic zero tillage, (2) controlled traffic stubble mulch, (3) wheeled zero tillage, and (4) wheeled stubble mulch.     

Traffic alternatives for harvesting soybean (Glycine max L.): Effect on yields and soil under a direct sowing system

This initially high level of soil compaction in some direct sowing systems might suggest that the impact of subsequent traffic would be minimal, but data have not been consistent. Soil compaction is caused by the high traffic intensity and weight of tractor and combines in harvest operations, especially when these operations are carried out on wet soil or with high-pressure tyres. Traffic effects on the yield of soybean and on some physical soil properties were studied over a period of 3 years. After this period, the reduction of traffic intensity from 38 to 15 Mg km⁻¹ ha⁻¹ produced an increase on the yields of 29.2% from the base year improving the incomes by US$134 ha⁻¹ besides the reduction of fuel consumption of 35.5%. With the results obtained in this work it can be assumed that traffic reduction at harvest has a good potential to increase yields and reduce soil compaction under direct sowing system on the Rolling Pampa Region, Argentina.     

Long-term effects of a single compaction by heavy field traffic on yield and nitrogen uptake of annual crops

The long-term effects of soil compaction by heavy traffic on crop growth were examined in field experiments on a heavy clay (Vertic Cambisol) and an organic soil (Mollic Gleysol). There were three treatments: one pass and four repeated passes with a tandem axle load of 16 Mg, with wheel tracks completely covering the plot area, and a control without experimental traffic. Both loadings compacted the soils to a depth of 0.4–0.5 m. For 9 years after the loading, spring cereals (oats, wheat and barley) were the main crops grown. Yield, moisture content at harvest, thousand-kernel and bulk weight and nitrogen uptake of crops were determined each year. Although lodging of crops in the control and sometimes also in the treatment with one pass complicated the interpretation of results, especially for the organic soil, compaction clearly did affect crop production. For several years after the loading, it decreased yields and nitrogen uptake of crops and lowered seed moisture contents at harvest. Effects of the compaction were especially marked on the clay soil in the first 3 years and the rainy sixth year. Taken as a mean of the first 8 years, compaction of the clay soil with four passes reduced the yields by 4% and nitrogen uptake of annual crops by 9%. Compaction of the organic soil with four passes decreased the yield by 1% and nitrogen yield by 4%, as a mean of the first 5 and the last 3 years. The bulk weight or the thousand-kernel weight of yields was not notably affected by the compaction.     

Interactive effects of wheel‐traffic and tillage system on soil carbon and nitrogen

Abstract

Wheel‐traffic induced soil compaction has been shown to limit crop productivity, and its interaction with tillage method could affect soil nutrient transformations. A study was conducted during 1993–1994 to determine interactive effects of tillage method (conventional tillage and no‐tillage) and wheel‐traffic (traffic and no traffic) on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) at a long‐term (initiated 1987) research site at Shorter, Alabama. The cropping system at this study site is a corn (Zea mays L.) ‐ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] rotation with crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) as a winter cover crop. Soil organic C, total N, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were not significantly affected by six years of traffic and tillage treatments. However, conventional tillage compared to no‐tillage almost doubled the amount of CO₂‐C respired over the entire observation period and during April 1994 field operations. Soil respiration was stimulated immediately after application of wheel‐ traffic, but nontrafficked soils produced greater amounts of CO₂‐C compared to trafficked soils during other periods of observation. Nitrogen mineralization was significantly lower from no‐tillage‐trafficked soils compared to conventional tillage‐trafficked and no‐tillage‐nontrafficked soils for the 1993 growing season. A laboratory incubation indicated the presence of relatively easily mineralizable N substrates from conventional tillage‐trafficked soil compared to conventional tillage‐nontrafficked and no‐till‐trafficked soils. For the coarse textured soil used in this study it appears that conventional tillage in combination with wheel‐traffic may promote the highest levels of soil microbial activity.     

农田土壤压实过程及模型研究进展

农田土壤受到农业机械田间作业的影响发生压实板结,造成土壤孔隙率降低,容重和紧实度增大,限制水分入渗和根系生长,影响作物产量。随着我国农业机械化水平不断提高,土壤压实对农业可持续发展的影响引起了广泛的关注。本文通过文献调研,总结了土壤压实过程的国内外研究进展,对土壤压缩行为、压缩曲线与预固结压力的计算方法进行了梳理,综述了土壤压实机理和压实模型的发展历程和未来动向,可为推进农田土壤压实研究提供参考。     

Soil management options for Alfisols in the semi-arid tropics: annual and perennial crop production

A field experiment was conducted in the semi arid tropics to study the effects of soil structural modification on cropping systems. The aim was to improve crop production and land resource protection using innovative soil management practices. Tillage, mulch and perennial/annual rotational based systems were compared for 5 years in an Alfisol at ICRISAT in India. Crop yield parameters, including grain and biomass yield, leaf area index, crop cover, and plant height were measured. Results indicate significant benefits to annual crop yield (maize, sorghum) from improved water supply due to mulching with farmyard manure or and rice straw, and due to rotation with prior-perennial crops. Grain yields were 16 to 59% higher in mulched treatments compared to unmulched treatments, with similar increases for fodder yields. Annual crop yields after 4 years of perennials were 14 to 81% higher than unmulched treatments, except for low fertility maize grown after buffel grass. The interaction with chemical fertility was less clear than for water supply. The results have implications for soil management throughout the semi-arid tropics.     

Indicators and trade-offs of ecosystem services in agricultural soils along a landscape heterogeneity gradient

Soil functions can be classified as supporting (nutrient cycling) and provisioning (crop production) ecosystem services (ES). These services consist of multiple and dynamic functions and are typically assessed using indicators, e.g. microbial biomass as an indicator of supporting services. Agricultural intensification negatively affects indicators of soil functions and is therefore considered to deplete soil ES. It has been suggested that incorporating leys into crop rotations can enhance soil ES. We examined this by comparing indicators of supporting soil services – organic carbon, nitrogen, water holding capacity and available phosphorous (carbon storage and nutrient retention); net nitrogen mineralisation rate and microbial biomass (nutrient cycling and retention) – in barley fields, leys and permanent pastures along a landscape heterogeneity gradient (100, 500 and 1000 m radii). In addition, barley yields (provisioning service) were analysed against these indicators to identify trade-offs among soil services. Levels of most indicators did not differ between barley and ley fields and were consistently lower than in permanent pastures. Leys supported greater microbial biomass than barley fields. Landscape heterogeneity had no effect on the indicators or microbial community composition. However, landscape heterogeneity correlated negatively with yield and soil pH, suggesting that soils in heterogeneous landscapes are less fertile and therefore have lower yields. No trade-offs were found between increasing barley yield and the soil indicators. The results suggest that soil ES are determined at the field level, with little influence from the surrounding landscape, and that greater crop yields do not necessarily come at the expense of supporting soil services.     

Tillage and the environment in sub-tropical Australia—Tradeoffs and challenges

Tillage is defined here in a broad sense, including disturbance of the soil and crop residues, wheel traffic and sowing opportunities. In sub-tropical, semi-arid cropping areas in Australia, tillage systems have evolved from intensively tilled bare fallow systems, with high soil losses, to reduced and no tillage systems. In recent years, the use of controlled traffic has also increased. These conservation tillage systems are successful in reducing water erosion of soil and sediment-bound chemicals. Control of runoff of dissolved nutrients and weakly sorbed chemicals is less certain. Adoption of new practices appears to have been related to practical and economic considerations, and proved to be more profitable after a considerable period of research and development. However there are still challenges. One challenge is to ensure that systems that reduce soil erosion, which may involve greater use of chemicals, do not degrade water quality in streams. Another challenge is to ensure that systems that improve water entry do not increase drainage below the crop root zone, which would increase the risk of salinity. Better understanding of how tillage practices influence soil hydrology, runoff and erosion processes should lead to better tillage systems and enable better management of risks to water quality and soil health. Finally, the need to determine the effectiveness of in-field management practices in achieving stream water quality targets in large, multi-land use catchments will challenge our current knowledge base and the tools available.