ABSTRACT
Soils of the northernmost central United States (NmCUS) vary from frigid in the north to mesic in the central and southernmost parts of the NmCUS. The thermal environment ranges from cold in the northernmost part to moderate in the southernmost parts. Adoption of conservation tillage in its various forms is sensitive to climate, crop systems, soil properties, topography, and pest problems, as well as the needs for water conservation and control of wind and water erosion. Cover crops are generally used in the cool season to augment the system for cash crop production in the warm season. Cover crops can be harvested for grain or forage, or merely used for cover. Several practices are recommended to reduce adverse effects of the hydraulic resistance in furrow irrigation caused by surface residues and greater roughness in conservation tillage. Numerous new tillage system technologies are under development to safeguard production and environment in this region.
