Description of practice

The practice of retaining crop residues involves keeping crop stubble on the field, rather than removing it. This can offer many benefits including increased soil organic matter, improved soil structure and plant nutrient cycling.

Examples of how to retain crop residues Further information
(see Note below)

AMP69 01

High stubble cutting height

High stubble cutting height is used to leave more organic material on the field and reduce the time taken to harvest the crop. For increased nutrient cycling and disease control the stubble is chopped and incorporated into the soil.

 

»GRDC Communities

AMP69 02

Stubble management

Crop residues are chopped and incorporated in the topsoil where they decompose. Properly used this leads to higher soil fertility and less disease. However, an excessive amount of stubble can obstruct subsequent seeding operations.

 

»Akkerwijzer.
»GRDC Communities

 

AMP69 03

Residue incorporation

Crop residues are left on agricultural fields. Incorporating residues in the soil will enhance organic matter content and improve the soil structure.

 

»WOCAT technology 1104

AMP69 04

Return process residues

Process residues (such as husks, seeds, bagasse and roots) are returned to the field as fertilizers or animal fodder.

 

»Wikipedia - Husk


Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.

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