FP

FC

FP

FC

NT

NT

residue cover of soil surface (%)0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

45

20

35

0

30

25

15

10

5

40

This figure shows that:• surface residue reduces erosion,• reduced tillage (chisel and no-till) leaves more residue and results in less erosion than plowing, and• corn (circled) returns more residue than soybeans.

soil

loss

(ton

s/ac

re)

Figure 16.2. Soil erosion dramatically decreases with increasing surface cover. Note: FP = fall plow, FC = fall chisel, NT = no-till; circles = corn, no circles = soybeans. Modified from Manuring (1979).

Figure 16.7. Roller-crimper creates a weed-suppressing cover-crop mat through which it is possible to plant seeds or transplants. Here cotton is being planted behind rye that has been traveled over by the roller-crimper. Photo by Jeff Mitchell.