Strip tillage effect on seedbed tilth and maize production in Northern Italy as case-study for the Southern Europe environment

Strip tillage is a conservative technique widespread overseas with recognized environmental, agronomical and economic benefits. In Europe it has been proposed only recently and is almost unknown by farmers of Italy and other Mediterranean countries, where its compliance with soil and climate environments needs to be evaluated. For this reason, a two-year field trial comparison was carried out between strip tillage, minimum tillage and no tillage for the cultivation of maize in the Po valley, as representative crop and environment for the Italian and Southern Europe intensive agriculture. The aim was to evaluate effects on seedbed quality, weed infestation, and maize performance from crop establishment to final harvest.The experiment was conducted on a sandy-loam soil with high chemical fertility and good water availability for the crop. Strip tillage was carried out by an original passive tool implement hitched to a pneumatic drill operating at a forward speed of around 6 km h−1. We determined soil penetration resistance, bulk density, water content, clod size distribution, ground residue cover, number of weeds along crop rows and between rows, maize drilling depth, crop emergence, biomass accumulation and grain yield.Strip tillage moved less soil and left higher ground residue cover than minimum tillage, while the seedbed prepared by the two techniques did not differ for suitability to drilling, root exploration and crop growth. In fact, maize grown after strip tillage emerged fast and regularly approximating the wished plant density, experienced a limited weed infestation, and showed high total biomass and grain yields, similar to those obtained with minimum tillage.

► We compared strip tillage to minimum and no tillage in the Northern Italy plain.
► It is a first case-study for strip tillage in maize in Southern Europe environment.
► Strip tillage equalled minimum tillage for seedbed tilth and suitability to sowing.
► Strip tillage allowed much higher ground residue cover than minimum tillage.
► Strip tillage equalled minimum tillage for maize emergence, growth and yield.