Express the importance of soil health in corn-based cropping systems and explain how tillage practices can influence soil organic matter content. Evaluate the long-term consequences of these practices.
Over tilling can be an enemy to optimized maize production. While no tillage is more favorable to soil organic matter content it also constitutes issues with the use of herbicides genetically modification issues and costs involved.
One of the best ways to increase soil organic matter and lower inputs is the maize legume relation. Soybean in rotation will lower the need for supplemental nitrogen reducing cost and improving soil quality and it also feeds valuable earthworm populations.
A way of increasing the tilth of soils is to create system of raised beds and allowing mechanization but restricting traffic zones.
For the overall soil health and organic matter the return of crop residues in the form of organic matter amendment is extremely important. For small holders the use of mixed plant and animal farming is a way to increase the income generation.
Milk animals give valuable which can support the generation of methane gas for homestead energetic needs and the compost remains for field applications which feed the soil increase organic matter and increase the crop nutrient content.
Farmers can target soil rather than look to brought agrichemical inputs but more educational input is needed for these regenerative agriculture approaches.