Ökologische und ökonomische Auswirkungen des zeitweisen Pflugverzichts beim Anbau von Triticale und Kleegras

Reduced tillage is often not applied in organic farming, because of expected increased weed pressure and, as a result, decreasing yields. On the other hand, the positive influence of reduced tillage on soils, for example on beneficial soil animals, is well known. Therefore, we investigated the influence of occasional reduced tillage (ORT) on yields of triticale and grass-clover and on earthworm biomass. Occasional reduced tillage means only setting aside the plough before drilling selected crops, which are known to perform well under the given local conditions. Already four weeks after drilling triticale, a positive effect on earthworm biomass could be revealed, which could be confirmed through the entire study. Yields of triticale and grass-clover did not generally decrease. In some cases, with appropriate nutrient supply and low to moderate weed pressure, they even increased. Overall, it could be shown that ORT has the potential to improve resource efficiency, while at the same time promoting beneficial soil organisms like earthworms.