One-time Summer Tillage of Chemical Fallow in a Dryland Winter Wheat Rotation Does Not Negate Long-term Benefits Accrued under No-till Management

W hile producers who practice no-till are typically committed to keeping steel out of the ground, there are several reasons why occasional tillage may prove beneficial and offer solutions to some no-till related problems. These include dispersing low-mobility nutrients (i.e. phosphorous that can accumulate near soil surface), reducing soil compaction, and controlling weeds. It is known that tilling longterm undisturbed systems negatively impacts soil structural attributes and soil organic matter (SOM) quantities and characteristics, but little is known about the impact of one-time or occasional tillage on soil properties improved during periods of notill. Recent interest in converting dryland winter wheat to certified organic production has been on the rise driven by Continued on page 2