Reduced Tillage (FiBL Factsheet)

{Tool} Reduced Tillage (FiBL Factsheet). [Reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung (FiBL Merkblatt).] Creator(s): Hegglin, Django; Clerc, Maurice and Dierauer, Hansueli. Issuing Organisation(s): FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture. FiBL-Merkblatt. (2014)

	PDF - Hungarian/Magyar (2020 version) 860kB
	PDF - Published Version - Ukranian/Українська (2020 version) 860kB
	PDF - Published Version - Romanian/Română (2020 version) 4MB
	PDF - Published Version - Russian/Russkiy (2020 version) 4MB
Preview	PDF - Published Version - German/Deutsch (Updated 2025 version) 7MB
Preview	Image (PNG) - Cover Image - German/Deutsch 749kB

Document available online at: https://www.fibl.org/en/shop-en/1652-bodenbearbeitung.html

Summary

This technical guide serves as a decision-making tool for organic farmers, presenting both advantages and disadvantages of reduced soil cultivation practices. It combines practical agricultural knowledge with scientific evaluation, helping farmers understand the environmental and agronomic implications of different tillage approaches.
NOTE: the German version is the updated version. The other languages are from 2020 and information could be outdated. Translations are underway and will be updated as they become available.

Summary translation

Das Merkblatt zeigt Vorteile und Herausforderungen der reduzierten Bodenbearbeitung. Es stellt verschiedene Verfahren, Anwendungsbeispiele und Maschinen vor und erläutert die Rahmenbedingungen für den Bezug von Direktzahlungen im Rahmen des Ressourceneffizienzprogrammes des Bundes.

EPrint Type:	Practice tool
Teaser:	Reduced tillage is challenging, but carries many benefits.
What problem does the tool address?:	Farmers in organic agriculture face critical decisions about soil cultivation practices. Conventional intensive tillage can lead to soil degradation, loss of soil structure, reduced humus content, and negative climate impacts. However, transitioning to reduced tillage systems presents uncertainties about techniques, machinery requirements, and potential challenges that may arise during implementation.
What solution does the tool offer?:	This technical guide provides a comprehensive framework for implementing reduced tillage systems in organic farming. It systematically compares different tillage methods and machinery options, offering practical recommendations for farmers who want to make the transition. The document addresses anticipated difficulties with concrete solutions and includes scientific assessments of how reduced tillage affects soil humus content and climate impacts.
Country:	Switzerland
Type of Practice Tool:	Leaflets & guidelines
Theme:	Soil quality and fertility, Weed management
Keywords:	arable crops, arable farming, carbon sequestration, humus balance, mechanical weed control, perennial weed, reduced tillage, weed management
Keywords:	arable crops, arable farming, carbon sequestration, conservation tillage, humus balance, mechanical weed control, perennial weeds, reduced tillage, minimum tillage, weed control, soil fertility, soil quality
Agrovoc keywords:	Language Value URI English arable farming http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36528 English minimum tillage http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_32734 English perennial weeds http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5697 English weed control http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_24200 English humus http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3693 English carbon sequestration http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_331583 English soil fertility http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7170 English soil quality http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_a9645d28 English climate smart agriculture -> climate-smart agriculture http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1361789093890
Subjects:	Crop husbandry > Soil tillage Soil Crop husbandry > Weed management
Research affiliation:	Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Knowledge exchange > Advice Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Sustainability > Climate European Union > Horizon 2020 > OK-Net Arable European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge European Union > Horizon 2020 > OK-Net Arable > selected tools
Related Links:	https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/31128, https://www.fibl.org/en/shop-en/1652-bodenbearbeitung.html, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/31157, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/30569, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/30996
Project ID:	ofk
Deposited By:	Willer, Dr. Helga
ID Code:	31128
Deposited On:	20 Jan 2017 19:03
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2025 16:21
Document Language:	German/Deutsch, Hungarian/Magyar, Romanian/Română, Russian/Russkiy, Ukranian/Українська
Status:	Published

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