What is occasional tillage? Occasional tillage is defined as one or two tillage operations every 3 or more years to manage challenges of long-term NT, including difficult-to-control weeds and soil nutrient and pH stratification. This system of low-frequency tillage on a fixed schedule differs from strategic tillage, which is defined as a one-time tillage operation in an otherwise NT cropping system. By these definitions, occasional tillage may be considered a proactive approach while strategic tillage may be considered more reactive. The most commonly used implement for occasional tillage is the sweep plow, which is a non-inversion conservation tillage implement. Inversion-type tillage with a disk may be preferable in correcting soil nutrient and pH stratification.
Research Overview - overall, strategic and occasional tillage of long-term NT had no adverse effect on soil properties. Tillage effects on subsequent wheat yields were infrequent, but results at Garden City suggested that yields might be greater with one pass of tillage in fallow before wheat planting compared to NT. However, grain sorghum yields were occasionally reduced with one or two passes of tillage in wheat stubble at Hays and Tribune. Occasional tillage could be an effective tool for farmers to manage difficult-to-control and HR weeds.
Best management practices when implementing strategic or occasional tillage
issues to resurge after returning to NT management, though it may be six years or more between operations. More frequent tillage may negatively impact soil properties and crop yields.
Figure 2. No-till (left) and strategic tillage (right) following tillage and fertilizer applications in fallow in Ellis County. Photo by Augustine Obour, K-State Extension.